Opinion: Extraordinary Safety and Exemplary Service

This Opinion piece appears in the April 27 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.

By Gary Petty

President and CEO

National Private Truck Council

For nearly three decades, the National Private Truck Council has paid tribute to the very best commercial drivers in the trucking industry from the private fleet community.

The NPTC Driver Hall of Fame, co-sponsored by Lytx Inc., inducts four drivers each year at NPTC’s Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition. To qualify, a driver must have achieved 3 million miles and 20 years or 50,000 hours of consecutive driving without a preventable accident.

This year’s winners are:

• William “Buddy” Brawley, Unifi Manufacturing in Greensboro, North Carolina: 3.2 million miles, 36 years of driving, 21 years with company, no preventable accidents, never charged with a moving violation; 21 years with Safe Driving Awards from Unifi Inc.; National Safety Council Regional Best, South Atlantic; Trala National Driver of the Year; N.C. Trucking Association Driver of the Year.

“Safety starts with me. A big part of driving safely is attitude — you cannot let anything or anyone affect your attitude to the point you are unsafe,” Brawley said.

“I always ensure that our equipment is in safe operating condition before leaving each day. As a professional driver, I am responsible for being safe and courteous at all times, yet each day is becoming more challenging and demanding on the nation’s highways,” he added. “My career as a truck driver has given me great satisfaction through the years and enabled me to provide for my family.

“Your personal appearance will greatly affect your attitude and the overall image of you and your company to your customers,” Brawley said.

He also said: “I attend River City Church, play bass guitar and ride horses.”

• Steven Edwards, CTS Sherwin Williams, Cleveland: 3 million miles, 76,000 hours driving, 40 years driving, 28 years with current employer, no preventable accidents or moving violations; CTS Truck Driver Champion and CTS Overall Grand Champion, Annual Rodeo, and CTS Driver of the Year twice.

“I average 50 hours and 1,500 miles a week. I enjoy my drives to Kingman, [Arizona] about 200 miles of the most beautiful scenery and sunset you will ever see — just love the beauty of the Saguaro Cactus,” Edwards said.

“I deliver paint to stores after hours at night. I have a lot of backing and very tight situations to get into,” he said, adding, “I present myself as a very courteous, confident, and safe professional. I try to set a great example of how drivers can present themselves.

Edwards also said: “Working nights, I give my wife a kiss good night at 2 a.m., and in turn, she gives a kiss goodbye at 7:30 a.m. The only quality time I have with my wife is weekends when we hike mountain trails. We do ‘Hot Yoga’ before church, and I greet at the 10:30 service regularly.”

• Mark Hannon, Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc., in Buffalo, New York: 2 million miles, 70,560 hours, and 36 years with company, no preventable accidents and no moving violations; Upstate Niagara Safe Driving Awards earned annually since l979. Numerous safety recognition and customer service letters.

“When I joined Upstate 36 years ago, I could never imagine such an honor would be in my future,” Hannon said, adding, “I do not simply drive for Upstate. I have always prided myself on being the front lines for my employer. At every one of my stops at different schools and businesses, I carry myself with integrity and treat every person I meet with upmost respect.”

He also said: “I have called in sick one time in 36 years. My wife and I brought three children into this world. Two sons are Lutheran pastors, and a daughter is in insurance sales. I could not be more proud. I am a high school football official, scoutmaster, youth coach, and First Lutheran Church member.”

• Leon Turner, Batesville Logistics, in Batesville, Indiana:

3.2 million miles and 25 years with current employer (5.03 million miles and 38 years driving overall), no preventable or nonpreventable accidents; no moving violations in 25 years; Driver of the Month (Indiana Motor Truck Association) for five consecutive years; 24 years of consecutive safe-driving recognition awards from Batesville Casket, and NSC Safe Driver Award for three years.

“I usually work 60 to 62 hours a week,” Turner said. “Being an over-the-road truck driver is a great profession. I think the way you present yourself shows what kind of person you are. People will notice how you act when you are in one of those big trucks, when you stop to eat, how you are dressed, your hygiene and your mannerisms.

“I always feel good when vehicles pull up next to me smiling and giving me the thumbs up or even the arm pump. People notice not only the equipment and logo on the truck but also notice how you handle yourself. . . . I feel I am representing Batesville Casket Co.”

He also said: “I’m in the Trucker Buddy program, involved with my church in clothing and food drives, [and I] enjoy fishing, hunting and gardening.”

These four drivers have combined more than 150 years of service while driving 11.2 million miles with no preventable accidents.

This is extraordinary safety and exemplary service at its very best.

NPTC is a national trade association representing the private motor carrier industry.