A UPS driver has been recognized by the company for going 25 years without an accident.
Newly retired UPS driver Andy Conrad, 56, said the best strategy to avoid accidents is space.
“I used all the driving methods, but found that leaving space on all four sides of my vehicle and maintaining a comfortable following distance is key to survival. You have to use defensive driving methods and expect the unexpected,” Conrad said.
Conrad’s 25 years of accident-free driving will earn him a spot in UPS’s Circle of Honor.
You can take all the precautions in the world, but staying aware of other distracted drivers may be the most critical, Conrad said.
That certainly was the case for Conrad who drove in heavily populated Florida and frequently made deliveries to congested areas like rail yard terminals and airport freight zones.
“You really have to be aware of your surroundings at a given location and the rules of that yard or location,” Conrad said.
His one suggestion would be that more rest stops on the interstate to help drivers fight fatigue.
Conrad was hired by UPS in 1981 while a student at the University of South Florida. In 1987 he qualified for his job driving single and tandem trailers around the region.
It’s nice to see companies take the time to acknowledge drivers who are truly working hard to avoid accidents. What about you guys…do any of you have a safety streak that tops 25 years? Let us know!
Sources: news-press.com