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FedEx Archives: 2000 Press Releases

( BW)(PA-FEDEX-GROUND/ATA)(FDX) ATA Honors Three Trucking Companies for Their Safety Records; Pennsylvania and Texas Motor Carriers Honored for Best Safety Programs

    Business Editors, Transportation Writers

    ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2000--The American Trucking Associations (ATA) today named three motor carriers as winners of its 2000 National Truck Safety Contest.
    The companies -- representing large, mid-size, and small fleets -- are FedEx Ground of Moon Township, PA (over 100 million miles annual operation); Central Freight Lines of Waco, TX (25 to 100 million miles); and Ward Trucking Corporation of Altoona, PA (up to 25 million miles).
    All were judged to have the best overall safety programs and record of safety initiatives among contest entries, and will be presented with the ATA's President's Trophy at the ATA's Safety Management Council conference in St. Louis, MO on October 4.
    "These companies are going the extra mile every day in putting safe drivers and safe trucks on our highways," said Walter B. McCormick, Jr., ATA President and CEO. "Like all our members, their hard work and the dedication to safety first has helped move the trucking industry to its best highway safety record in a decade."
    FedEx Ground, the second largest small-package ground carrier in North America and an operating unit of FedEx Corp., was honored for its extensive safety program, which includes detailed driver selection criteria, comprehensive qualifications review for new drivers, and close monitoring of owner-operator equipment. The company, which uses independent contractors in both its linehaul and pickup and delivery operations, also has a structured program of safety meetings for contractors with strict attendance requirements, and a safe driving award program which includes the President's Challenge Award which sets aside $20,000 to be divided among the drivers of any FedEx Ground hub that breaks the company's existing record of 12.9 million miles without an at-fault accident. This is the second time the company has won the President's Trophy.
    Central Freight Lines, which operates in 15 states, has a very comprehensive safety package which includes close monitoring of the medical conditions of drivers and a requirement that every driver go through the company's training program regardless of previous experience. New drivers are given check-rides every 90 days for their first year and annually thereafter. The Central Freight Maintenance and Safety Departments also cooperate in training new drivers on pre-trip inspections. The company has a full range of safe driving incentives, including a "Presidential Citation" for ten consecutive years of accident-free driving. To date, 425 Central Freight drivers have earned the award.
    Ward Trucking, over the past five years, has recorded a 42 percent reduction in the cost of vehicle accidents and a 21 percent drop in the number of workplace injuries. The company provides several hours of hazardous materials training for both drivers and dock workers and issues licenses for forklift operation. Over 80 percent of the dock force have them. Ward further demonstrates the depth of their commitment to safety by equipping trucks with deer whistles, heated mirrors, and providing improved footholds and handholds for safer access to trailers.
    The ATA President's Award winners will also be honored on October 30 at ATA's Management Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, CA.

    --30--fkb/clv

    CONTACT: American Trucking Associations
             Mike Russell, 703/838-7935

    KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA TEXAS MISSOURI CALIFORNIA
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRANSPORTATION AUTOMOTIVE