Atlanta, GA
- Number Of Total Members Crosses The 10,000 Mark For First Time
- Michigan’s Tom Camp Reaches All-Time Record Of 55 Years Without A Crash
- First-Ever Drivers In U.K., Netherlands Join The Honorary Group
UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced the induction of 1,582 drivers into its elite “Circle of Honor,” raising to 10,504 the number of drivers who have not had an avoidable accident for 25 years or more.
Collectively, the 10,504 drivers have logged 14 billion miles and achieved more than 257,221 years of safe driving throughout their careers. That’s enough miles to circle the earth at the equator 562,000 times, or make 200 round-trips to Mars.
The number of active Circle of Honor drivers is the most in company history and includes 83 new members from Canada, U.K., France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
UPS’s longest-tenured safe driver in 2017 is Livonia, Michigan package car driver Tom Camp, who has now driven for more than half a century – 55 years – and delivered more than 5 million packages without an accident. Camp was honored for being the company’s longest-tenured safe driver at a ceremony in October, 2017. Those in attendance included UPS chairman and CEO David Abney, political leaders from the Michigan House and Senate as well as the mayor of Livonia, who declared October 18 as “Tom Camp Day” in Livonia. The company refurbished a 1960’s-era delivery truck in Camp’s honor and christened it the “Tom Camp Special,” complete with pin striping and prominent “55” badging.
“Tom Camp’s 55-plus years of safe driving at UPS is an astonishing feat, and a testament to the impact of driver education programs,” said Chris Spear, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations. “Smart decision making on the road reduces the rate of accidents and keeps both pedestrians and other drivers safe. We applaud Tom for his lifelong commitment to safety, as well as his service to this country as a marine.”
Of all Circle of Honor members, 739 have been accident-free for 35 or more years, with 126 of those having driven more than 40 years without an accident. Thirteen drivers have eclipsed the 45-year safe driving mark.
This year, 38 new inductees are women and 50 have joined the ranks of those with more than 30 years of safe driving. A total of 234 women are in the Circle of Honor.
"Congratulations on 25 years and more of safe driving, and many thanks for helping make our roads safer for everyone," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.
UPS began recognizing its safe drivers in 1923. Founder Jim Casey honored the company’s first 5-year safe driver, Ray McCue, in 1928.
The company’s 127,000 small package drivers worldwide are among the safest on the roads, logging more than 3 billion miles per year and delivering nearly 5 billion packages annually.
“Our group of elite drivers continues to expand around the world,” said Teri McClure, chief human resources officer and senior vice president, global human resources and labor. “Congratulations to our newest inductees in France, the U.K., and the Netherlands, and congratulations to Tom Camp for his amazing achievement. We can all learn something from these men and women who have set the standard for safety, service and longevity.”
Before ever making a delivery, all UPS drivers are taught safe driving methods through the company’s defensive driving platform. The training continues throughout their careers. The company’s UPS Integrad® training school for delivery drivers, and Driver Trainer School (DTS) for tractor-trailer instructors boast some of the industry’s most rigorous safety training. Virtual reality technology is now being used at Integrad sites across the country to give students a chance to learn using the most up-to-date methods available.
UPS extends its safe driving expertise to the communities it serves through UPS Road Code® training, a teen safe driving program available in the United States and internationally. Taught by UPS volunteers and based on the company’s safe-driving methods, the program is available to teens between the ages of 13 and 18. To date, more than 47,000 teenagers have participated. The program has been extended to Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
UPS Road Code training is offered in the U.S. in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and overseas in six countries with various youth development organizations. The UPS Foundation has contributed $16.6 million to the UPS Road Code program since its inception.
* Multimedia assets available here.