Named as a portmanteau of "road" and "rodeo", these competitions have been held for a range of different vehicles since at least 1937.
Typically, drivers compete to pass through a variety of obstacles in the smallest amount of time, although the competitions may include other components, such as a written test.
According to Louise M. Ackerman writing in American Speech, the word "roadeo" was probably first used in the 1950s, and its introduction was partially driven by the popularity of rodeos.
Most roadeos have a written component, usually a test drivers have to take before they compete in the driving events.
[12] Benefits of roadeos include encouraging safety and productivity in the truck driving workforce, as well as improving morale.
As it was implemented in one region, bus employees "completed a written examination, an oral interview, a pre-trip inspection, and demonstrated their driving skills through a prescribed course".
[3] The championships have a number of similarities to the International Bus Roadeo regarding how it operates, including the requirements for drivers (i.e. one accident-free year) and the pre-trip inspection test.