The Truckload Carriers Assn. (TCA) has announced Voyager Express of Denver and Hogan Transports of St. Louis as grand prize winners of the 2002 National Fleet Safety Awards.

The awards were presented at Tuesday's banquet and awards dinner during the TCA convention in Orlando, Fla.
Receiving the coveted awards were Jeff Digby, owner and president of Voyager Express Inc., and David Hogan, president of Hogan Transports Inc.
Voyager Express Inc. won the award for truckload companies operating under 25 million miles annually, while Hogan Transports Inc. won for the category of more than 25 million miles annually.
This is the second time that Voyager Express has received the Grand Prize award for its safety program (it also won in 2001), due in part to its commitment to "sweat the details" and care for every driver.
Voyager Express says its safety program includes a strict no-touch freight policy, guaranteed weekly home-time for all drivers, and actual road patrols monitoring driver skills and tendencies. The company also works to keep their safety staff educated by promoting attendance in continuing education seminars and classes. Voyager Express drivers are carefully selected and complete a thorough orientation program including a one-on-one session with a driver trainer, a 10 to 20 mile road test, and a complete orientation with the truck and trailer, says the company. Voyager writes of its safety training, "A major portion of the ‘training’ that we do involves instilling a mindset in the drivers that they are now part of something different, something better. They are employed by a company whose biggest goals and objectives are to promote overall highway safety and to protect their safe driving records because it directly reflects on our safety record."
Hogan Transports, Inc. strives to ensure safety by providing an extensive program that meets both the driver and company needs. The safety department includes a Fatigue Supervisor who monitors all drivers on the road between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Since the addition of this supervisor Hogan’s fatigue-related accidents have been reduced from 24 to 4, an 83% improvement. Hogan employs technology to promote safety as well. Trucks are equipped with an electronic device that determines driver abuse from hard breaking, over-speeds, or engine failure. Additionally, Hogan Transports convenes a monthly safety committee of the president, operations management, safety management and insurance consultants to review and analyze accidents and work injuries.
Drivers said they appreciate Hogan Transport’s Winter Weather Shutdown Policy that sends a fleet-wide message shutting down any area deemed unsafe for driving. Hogan praises safe drivers through a rewards program that includes shirts, watches, and rings, the Hogan "Wall of Fame" recognizing drivers with one or more years of safe driving and the prestigious Million Mile Club.
The judging process began with the determination of the top companies in each of six mileage divisions. The division winners (listed below) were selected based on accident frequency only. The top three winners in each division were then able to compete for the two grand prizes. The grand prize-winning companies were judged on their excellent overall safety programs, both on and off-highway. During the judging, some of the factors considered included safety program organization, employee driver/independent contractor selection procedures, training, supervision, accident investigation, inspection and maintenance of equipment, and outside activities including general highway safety. In an effort to ensure the highest level of integrity to the contest, independent auditors not affiliated with TCA or the carrier audited all grand prize finalists.
The top divisional winners based on low accident frequency per million miles were:
Division I Winners (under 5 million miles)

First Place
Excargo Services Inc.
Houston, Texas
Marcia Fashingbauer, President

Second Place
ICON Transportation Co.
Terre Haute, Ind.
Allen Furrer, President

Third Place
Jefferson Transport Service
Jefferson, Wis.
Glenn Dempsey, President


Division II Winners (5 – 14.99 million miles)

First Place
Hoekstra Transportation Inc.
St. Anne, Ill.
Steven Hoekstra, Vice President

Second Place
Voyager Express Inc.
Denver, Colo.
Jeff Digby, President & CEO

Third Place
Trailwood Transportation
Mounds View, Minn.
Larry Tyson, President


Division III Winners (15 – 24.99 Million Miles)

First Place
Freymiller Trucking
Oklahoma City, Okla.
David Freymiller, President

Second Place
Kriska Transportation
Prescott, Ont.
Mark Seymour, President

Third Place
Atlas Carriers Inc.
Searcy, Ark.
Larry Megel, President


Division IV Winners (25 - 49.99 Million Miles)

First Place
Raven Transport Co. Inc.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Stephen Silverman, Chief Operating Officer

Second Place
Erb International Inc.
New Hamburg, Ont.
Vernon Erb, President

Third Place
O & S Trucking Inc.
Springfield, Mo.
James O’Neal, President


Division V Winners (50 – 99.99 Million Miles)

First Place
J & R Schugel Trucking Inc.
New Ulm, Minn.
Jerry Schugel, President

Second Place
May Trucking Co.
Salem, Ore.
David Daniels, President

Third Place
Hogan Transports Inc.
St. Louis, Mo.
David Hogan, President

Division VI Winners (Over 100 Million Miles)

First Place
Celadon Trucking Services Inc.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Robert Goldberg, President

Second Place
Smithway Motor Xpress Inc.
Fort Dodge, Iowa
William G. Smith, President

Third Place
Marten Transport Ltd.
Mondovi, Wis.
Randy Marten, President