Ruan, Searcy take home 2015 Volvo Trucks Safety Awards

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Updated Oct 21, 2015
Michelin’s Mike Cain (3rd from left) and Volvo’s Göran Nyberg (4th from left) present awards to Ruan Transportation and Searcy Trucking.Michelin’s Mike Cain (3rd from left) and Volvo’s Göran Nyberg (4th from left) present awards to Ruan Transportation and Searcy Trucking.

Volvo Trucks North America has awarded Ruan Transportation Management Systems and Searcy Trucking Limited as recipients of the 2015 Volvo Trucks Safety Awards for their dedication to safety and training at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition in Philadelphia. (Scroll down to see videos highlighting the safety efforts of Ruan Transportation and Searcy Trucking.)

The award program, co-sponsored by Michelin Truck Tires, is open to all U.S. and Canadian motor carriers operating at least five Class 8 units and have at least one Volvo model. Winners are selected based on U.S. Department of Transportation recordable accident frequency rates, as well as their safety and accident prevention programs.

“By making safety a priority every day, Ruan Transportation and Searcy Trucking were able to deliver an outstanding safety performance during the past year,” said Göran Nyberg, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “Their investments in industry-leading safety programs and training show a dedication to driver safety, and we congratulate them on this achievement.”

Ruan Transportation, a 3,900-truck fleet based in Des Moines, Iowa, won in the over 20 million miles category. In 246 million miles logged by Ruan drivers in 2014, the company had an accident frequency rate of only 0.61 per million miles. The company also developed its Megasafe safety training program to improve safety performance for its drivers.

“Safety starts with everybody,” says Ralph Arthur, president of Ruan’s dedicated contract carriage. You have to put the driver in a situation where he can to succeed. We are proud to partner with Volvo Trucks and all the safety technology they bring.”

Searcy Trucking, a family-owned company located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and a division of Bison Transport, won in the under 20 million miles category. With a fleet of 88 trucks, Searcy’s drivers logged more than 6.8 million miles in 2014 and had an accident frequency rate of just .58.

Searcy’s driver training includes simulations based on real-life fleet experience. Company safety practices include a “Right to Decide” policy that empowers drivers with the right and the responsibility to temporarily discontinue a trip when conditions are too hazardous to drive safely.

“We are privileged to be recognized in this manner,” said Norm Blagden, president of Searcy Trucking. “Safety isn’t something you can do part-time. Searcy drivers are some of the best in the business. That, combined with a leading safety program, ensures our drivers return home safely at the end of each and every trip.”

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