10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

Radio Marathons Get High Praise

The recent “Ask The Law” with Ol’ Blue, USA Radio Marathon was a wonderful success, according to all of the parties involved in the one-day event, held live in the Arlington and Dallas, Texas studios of ABC Radio. The purpose of the “Ask The Law” program is to have truckers call in and pose questions relating to safety and legal issues concerning commercial vehicles. The program features Ol’ Blue, USA founder RJ Taylor, along with officials from law enforcement. Founded in 1986, Ol’ Blue, USA (United Safety Alliance, Inc.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to highway safety education, and to improving relations between the motoring public, law enforcement and commercial drivers. The radio marathon began on the Midnight Trucking Radio Network on January 28 and was scheduled to run for five continuous hours, from midnight to 5:00 AM. However, the response from truckers was so great, the program was extended. Even after the program went off the air, the non-stop calls continued to be answered. The program then moved to the studios of Sirius Satellite Radio’s Open Road Café and continued for several more hours, starting at 7:30 AM. Again, the program continued on beyond its scheduled ending time of 9:30 AM. The law enforcement officer joining Taylor was Sr. Trooper Monty Dial, a 28-year veteran with the Texas Highway Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. The “Ask The Law” with Ol’ Blue, USA program, which has been on ABC radio for 6 years now, has developed a loyal and large listenership because of the informative nature of the program. The program is broadcast live, nationwide, several times each year and is sponsored in part by Alcoa Wheel Products. Upcoming marathons are scheduled for March 15, March 31 & April 1 (live from Louisville truck show), April 27-29, May 17 and June 15-17. You can check for any possible tour updates at www.safetytour.org. These radio broadcasts will be done during Ol’ Blue, USA’s annual Safety Tour, where the organization’s 1951 Kenworth (see photo) and 53-foot “rolling billboard” trailer travel the country conducting free safety programs at industry events, truck stops, community events and public schools. For more information, visit www.olblueusa.org or send an e-mail to info@olblueusa.org.