(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - ABF Freight System, Inc. has been awarded the American Trucking Association's (ATA) 1998 President's Trophy for its outstanding safety record in the over-20 million mile cumulative driving category. To win the President's Trophy, the industry's highest safety award, a carrier fleet must have the best overall safety record in the industry.

The top-ranked motor carriers in the ATA Truck Safety Contest are eligible to compete for the ATA President's Trophy. The trophy is the recognition of an outstanding safety record, consistent effort toward the advancement of safety in the trucking industry, and the promotion of greater safety for all highways users. ABF's current billboard program encourages all motorists to "buckle up for safety" and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation for its contribution to highway safety.

ABF is the only carrier in the industry to have won the award four times. They also won in 1985, 1989 and 1993. In each of those years, ABF linehaul and city drivers drove more than 100 million miles. In 1997, ABF drivers drove more than 340 million miles. According to ABF Safety Director Jim McFarlin, "ABF is totally committed to safety in both our terminal facilities and on the streets and highways. Without the encouragement and commitment from our top management, and the diligence of our employees, this award would not be possible."

ABF won first place in the General Commodities Less Than Truckload Industrial Safety Contest with more than 5,000 employees, McFarlin said, and third place in the General Commodities Less Than Truckload/Line-Haul with more than 100 million miles categories.

ABF is one of the nation's largest motor carriers with direct interstate and intrastate service to all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces, and Puerto Rico. In addition to Mexico, they also provide single-bill seamless service to 160 other countries through 302 port cities.