For the second time in three years, Denver-based Voyager Express Inc. has captured the Grand Prize in the Truckload Carriers Association’s National Fleet Safety Awards. Voyager won for truckload carriers operating fewer than 25 million miles annually, while St. Louis-based Hogan Transports Inc. took the Grand Prize for carriers operating more than 25 million miles annually.
Voyager Express’ safety program includes a strict no-touch freight policy, guaranteed weekly home time for all drivers and road patrols monitoring driver skills and tendencies. The safety program at Hogan Transports includes a fatigue supervisor who monitors all drivers on the road between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Since the addition of the supervisor, Hogan has seen an 83 percent decline in fatigue-related accidents.
To qualify for the grand prize, Voyager and Hogan placed among the top three carriers in their division. The top three in each of the six divisions, which are based on miles operated annually, are chosen according to accident frequency. Those companies then compete for the two grand prizes on several factors, including safety program organization, employee driver/ independent contractor selection procedures, training, supervision, accident investigation and inspection and maintenance of equipment.
