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UPS's "Circle Of Honor" Now Totals 4,648 Drivers
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25 Years or More of Accident-Free Driving
ATLANTA, Oct. 7, 2008 - UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced the induction of 715 elite drivers into its "Circle of Honor," pushing to 4,648 the total of active drivers who have steered clear of accidents for 25 years or more.
Of the new inductees, 10 are from Germany, 13 from Canada and the remainder from the United States. Of the total 4,648 now in the Circle, 188 have gone 35 years or more without an accident and 10 have gone 40 years or more. Collectively, UPS's active Circle of Honor drivers have compiled 131,372 years of accident-free driving.
"UPS is committed to the safety of all our drivers as well as those with whom we share the roads," said Kevin Strahan, UPS's corporate health and safety manager. "The men and women who have achieved membership in the Circle of Honor are the best of the best. They've consistently demonstrated that commitment by going at least a quarter century without an avoidable accident."
UPS's 112,450 drivers worldwide are among the safest on the roads, logging more than 2.5 billion miles a year while averaging less than one accident per million miles driven.
"The National Safety Council is pleased to congratulate these UPS drivers on their achievements," said Janet Froetscher, president & CEO. "UPS has many drivers who have driven crash-free for many years over millions of miles. That record of performance is evidence that these drivers, and all of us who share the roads with them, are safer because of the UPS commitment to safety."
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UPS today announced the induction of 715 elite drivers into its "Circle of Honor," pushing to 4,648 the total number of active drivers who have steered clear of accidents for 25 years or more. Circle of Honor drivers are being issued a uniform patch that calls out their individual number of years of safe driving. It is the first major change to the UPS uniform in more than a decade. |
In 2008, all Circle of Honor drivers will be eligible to receive and wear a newly designed patch on their uniform that calls out their individual number of years of safe driving. The patch represents the first major change to the UPS driver uniform in more than a decade.
All UPS drivers are taught safe driving methods from their first day of classroom training, including the company's comprehensive safety course, "Space and Visibility." The training continues throughout their careers.
New UPS tractor-trailer drivers receive 80 hours of computer-based and on-the-road training before operating equipment. Before training drivers in their home districts, brown-clad UPS managers complete an intensive three-week course at one of the toughest driving schools in America, UPS Driver Training School in South Holland, Ill.
UPS package car drivers take 20 hours of computer-based and on-the-road training before operating equipment, then face three safety ride evaluations during their first 22 days on the job.
UPS's most senior safe driver in 2008 is Kentucky District tractor-trailer driver Ron Sowder, who has driven for 46 years without an accident.
In every UPS District where they work, new Circle of Honor members and their spouses will be honored during weekend ceremonies highlighting their achievement. All active drivers who have maintained their accident-free record also are invited along with their spouses to attend that ceremony.
More information on UPS and safety is available at pressroom.ups.com/safety.
Founded in 1907, UPS has a long history and tradition of safety and training. The company issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing its safe drivers in 1923. In 1928, UPS recognized its first five-year safe driver, Ray McCue, with UPS founder Jim Casey presenting him a gold and platinum watch. The Circle of Honor was formally established as the mechanism to recognize safe drivers in 1955 and its membership has grown ever since.
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