Con-way Freight, a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation company and a subsidiary of Con-way Inc., is the recipient of the 2007 President's Trophy award for the Large Fleet category
from the Safety & Loss Prevention Management Council of American Trucking Associations (ATA).
Officials honored the company at its Safety & Human Resources National Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Sept. 21. Winners of the President's Trophy award have achieved superior safety records and demonstrated outstanding commitment to safety industry-wide and among all highway users.
"The safety of our drivers and the motoring public is a critical issue in our industry and we take it very seriously at Con-way Freight," said John G. Labrie, president, Con-way Freight. "The President's Trophy is a tremendous honor and I applaud every employee whose hard work delivered impressive results and earned us this recognition."
The ATA presents the President's Trophy to recognize the motor carriers with the most comprehensive safety programs. Con-way Freight topped all competitors in the Large Fleet category and was also awarded first place in the ATA Truck Safety Contest's General Commodities LTL/Local/Over 100 Million Miles category. To be eligible for a President's Trophy, a company must have placed in the top three in the ATA's Truck or Industrial Safety competitions.
Although uncommon for LTL carriers, Con-way Freight has instituted a formal defensive driver-training program to help drivers better identify high-risk situations on the road. Through one-on-one training and classroom time, drivers learn speed- and space-management practices, and to recognize road and traffic hazards to better prevent accidents. The company also supports annual truck driving competitions at the state and national level.
To compete, drivers must remain accident-free for 12 months, which creates a daily incentive to adhere to safe driving practices. Finally, Con-way Freight constantly explores new safety "smart" technologies to enhance its current programs. The company is currently in the early testing phase of an initiative sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute that could ultimately help drivers avoid front-end and lane-departure collisions.
Con-way Freight previously won the President's Trophy in 1997, 2002, 2005 and 2006.