(Fort Smith, Ark., October 12, 2000) - Jim McFarlin, ABF Freight System, Inc.® Director of Safety and Security, has recently received the Outstanding Service Award from the Safety Management Council of the American Trucking Associations. McFarlin has been involved with ABF's safety and security initiatives for fifteen years and has directed that area for ABF since 1997.

The Outstanding Service Award recognizes individuals from the trucking industry that have shown an on-going commitment to improving highway safety and a constant dedication to the work of the ATA's Safety Management Council. McFarlin joins the ranks of past award winners who have been recognized as exemplary safety professionals, advancing safety principles within the trucking industry and the Council.

Mr. John Dale, ABF Vice-President - Safety and Security, commented, "At ABF, the safety of our employees and the public that share our nation's highways is of highest priority. Under Jim's leadership, ABF's safety record has set the standard for the trucking industry. The Safety Management Council has made a great choice in selecting Jim to receive this award."

Under McFarlin's direction, ABF's safety initiatives have been recognized as best-in-class, including ABF's receipt of the ATA's President's Trophy in 1998. Over the past two decades, ABF has received the President's Trophy in virtually every year that it has been eligible. In each of the last 28 years, ABF's safety ranking has been first, second, or third within its trucking category.

Recently, ABF road driver William M. Whim was selected the 2000 National Driver of the Year by the American Trucking Associations. The Kansas Motor Carriers Association submitted Whim's nomination after he was named the 2000 Kansas Driver of the Year. Whim is a two-time winner of the ATA's National Driver of the Year award. His exceptional driving record includes more than 5 million accident-free miles. The ATA's National Truck Driver of the Year award is based not only on safe, accident free driving records, but also on a driver's other contributions to highway safety and a record of providing assistance to others.

Additionally, ABF city driver John Hazlett was recently named national champion in the three-axle class at the "Superbowl of Safety" - ATA's 2000 National Truck Driving Championships in New Orleans. This national competition highlights the driving skills, industry knowledge and work ethic of professional truck drivers, along with their contribution to the safety of America's highways.