When Jevic Transportation Inc. recognizes its safe drivers, it does it in a big way.
In its continuing initiative to promote safe driving, the Delanco, N.J.-based trucking company recently awarded annual safety bonuses to more than 1,000 of its professional drivers -- awards totaling $759,783.35.
The award was for safe driving from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002.
"This annual safety bonus program goes a long way in reinforcing our focus on safe driving and security," said Paul Karvois, president and CEO of Jevic Transportation. "It's a win-win situation, because not only are our customers ensured safe, on-time delivery, but our professional drivers are shown appreciation for the professionalism they display, day-in and day-out."
The bonuses are an incentive for safe driving. If a professional driver has an accident -- defined as any time the equipment returns to the yard in a different condition than the way it left -- a portion of their potential bonus is subtracted. The criteria for receiving a full bonus is to complete 12 months accident free. That means a chipped windshield or a scratch is the same as a fender bender, Jevic officials said.
The average bonus for most of the thousand drivers was about $800.00. And nearly 50 drivers received upwards of $2,500 each.
"It's great to be appreciated for our hard work," said Robert Carter, a Jevic professional driver. "With all that goes on out on the roads, it is becoming more and more challenging to drive safely. I'm happy to be working for a carrier like Jevic because the company really puts an emphasis on our safety and recognizes our achievements."
"At Jevic, we stress safety across the board," said Karvois. "Our training procedures identify safety measures and our hiring practices back that up -- we only hire drivers with proven records of safe driving. Our bonus program is in place to support safe driving year-round through the use of best practices in the day-to-day operation of their vehicles. In the end, safe driving is good business."
Jevic is a wholly owned subsidiary of SCS Transportation Inc., a regional carrier holding company. Jevic is a fully integrated, multi-regional, Breakbulk-Free motor carrier, providing national, regional and local LTL service within one operating system.