UPS announced the induction of 1,122 drivers into its Circle of Honor, raising to 5,248 the number of active drivers who have steered clear of accidents for 25 years or more. The number of new inductees is the largest for any single year in the company’s history – up 21 percent from last year. Collectively, the 5,248 drivers have logged more than 5 billion miles and more than 147,244 years of safe driving through their careers.
Of the Circle of Honor members, 283 have been accident-free for 35 or more years, with 27 of those having driven more than 40 years without an accident. UPS’s top safe driver in 2010 is Ohio Valley District tractor-trailer driver Ron “Big Dog” Sowder, who has achieved 49 years and 4 million miles of driving without an accident.
UPS says all drivers are taught safe driving methods beginning on the first day of classroom training, including the company’s comprehensive safety course, “Space and Visibility.” The training continues throughout their careers.
