UPS honors North Carolina drivers for 25 years of safe driving

Posted Sunday, January 31, 2010

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Siler City, NC - UPS announced 48 elite drivers from North Carolina are among 928 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving. Among the honorees is Charles Cook of Siler City.

North Carolina boasts 193 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 5,464 years of accident-free driving. Lucas Delano of Fayetteville is North Carolina's senior safe driver, with 39 years of accident-free driving under his belt.

Globally, 4,793 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they've racked up 136,091 years and more than 5 billion safe miles during their careers, or the equivalent of circling the earth more than 212,000 times.

The number of new inductees represents the largest increase in new members in a single year in the company's history.

"UPS puts a premium on safe-driving methods and training, and these drivers represent the best of the industry," said Rocco Romanella, president, UPS Southeast Region. "I'm very proud of these men and women. To go at least a quarter-of-a-century without an accident is a testament to the effectiveness of that training and to the pride our people take in their jobs."

Nationally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Ron Sowder of UPS's Kentucky District, with 48 years of driving without an accident. Thomas Camp of the Michigan District is next in line with 47 years of safe driving. Fifteen others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.

UPS's 102,000 drivers are among the safest on the roads, logging more than 3.3 billion miles a year and averaging less than one accident for every million miles driven. There are 2,786 total UPS drivers in North Carolina.

UPS invested $52 million in 2009 on safety training and employs its own comprehensive driving course called "Space and Visibility." New UPS tractor-trailer drivers receive 80 hours of classroom and on-the-road training and UPS package car drivers receive 20 hours of classroom and on-the-road defensive driving training before operating equipment. Package car drivers also complete three safety ride evaluations during their first 22 days on the job.

Founded in 1907, UPS has a rich history of safety and training. The company issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing 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. UPS formally established the Circle of Honor in 1955.

Following is a list of Circle of Honor drivers in North Carolina.

Driver Hometown UPS Work Location

Jerry Akins Charlotte Charlotte

Gerald Anderson Arden Charlotte

Kevin Barlow Hickory Statesville

Steve Bell Thomasville High Point

Charles Brockington Greensboro Greensboro

Clifton Brown Garner Raleigh

Richard Butler Jacksonville Jacksonville

Tammy Byrd Benson Raleigh

James Cauble Jr. Mooresville Charlotte

Kenneth Coffey Charlotte Charlotte