CVSA awards trucker who hit 3.6 million safe miles in his 41 year career

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently named a Ryder System Inc. driver as this year’s International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA) recipient.

On August 6, the CVSA named Darryl Tolle as the 2024 IDEA winner.

Tolle has achieved 3.6 million safe miles in 41 years as a professional driver.

“CVSA proudly recognizes Darryl Tolle as a champion of the trucking industry,” said CVSA President Col. Russ Christoferson. “His unwavering commitment to safety, alongside his exceptional service to his community and country, sets a benchmark for commercial motor vehicle drivers everywhere. Mr. Tolle’s achievements underscore the vital role these unsung heroes play in our daily lives.”

Trucker Shares Advice From Four Decades Of Safe Driving

Tolle shared advice for others truck drivers on how to operate more safely.

“When you go to work, be focused on work,” said Tolle. “Don’t worry about what happened at home, what you have planned for next week, something that happened earlier that day; just stay focused on work. In fact, make sure you’re focused before you even get to work.”

Tolle also advised truckers to get to work early, “that way you’re not rushing.”

Thirty-Five Years With Ryder

He achieved 2.8 million of his 3.6 million safe miles in 35 years with Ryder.

Earlier this year, Tolle was recognized with Ryder’s Driver of the Year Award.

“Thirty-five years at one company speaks for itself, but Darryl had it in him to go further than that,” said Corey McSweeney, logistics manager at Ryder. “He has a sense of duty not only to his company, but to his country as well. For the first 22 years of his employment with Ryder, Darryl was also serving in the Kentucky Army National Guard.”

Awarded Trucker Served In National Guard For Decades

In addition to his professional driving career, Tolle is a retired Kentucky Army National Guard sergeant first class with 32 years of service, taking part in natural disaster response, humanitarian operations, and clearing roadside bombs in Afghanistan.

“I served with Darryl Tolle for more than 20 years,” said Michael S. Ferguson, retired colonel with the U.S. Army. “Countless soldiers have been mentored by SFC Tolle. He was a long-time standard bearer, the go-to guy when you needed something done. This is a testament to SFC Tolle’s dedication to duty and selfless service.”