Dusty Pinkerton drives an 18-wheeler for Consolidated Freightways. He's on the road 60 to 90 hours a week. During that time he's constantly on the watch for motorists in trouble. For 25 years he's changed peoples' tires, put out fires and saved people trapped in wrecks, usually anonymously.

Pinkerton once climbed into an overturned car and saved a man from bleeding to death. Last year, he pulled an elderly couple out of a burning motor home just before it exploded.

In his "spare" time, Dusty counsels young drivers and works with three anti-drug programs in Flagstaff, Arizona. He has also started a petition, now in 46 states, to get radio stations to stop playing songs that portray truckers as drug users. He feels these songs contribute to drug abuse in kids. At present, Pinkerton is also lobbying—on his CB radio—for the Drug-Free Truck Stop Act.

Pinkerton, who loves to drive, was cited by the American Trucking Company Association for 24 years on the road without an accident, and the governor of Arizona awarded him a Certificate of Merit.

When asked why he helps people on the road, Dusty said, "That's like asking, why do you eat breakfast?"

Update: In 1992 Darrell Pinkerton was honored by the American Truck Stop Foundation as the "Driver of the Year" for Operation Roadblock, his national program to decrease the sale and use of illegal drugs in the transportation industry. The program includes educational services, seminars and a toll-free helpline. Pinkerton is on the board of directors of Flagstaff's Citizens Against Substance Abuse (CASA) and a member of the Governor's Alliance Against Drugs.