Could you imagine going 25 years without an accident? What if you had to do it on busy roads in an iconic brown truck that everyone can recognize?
It happens, and UPS couldn’t be more proud of its safe drivers. That’s why the Atlanta-based company adds to its “Circle of Honor” each year to recognize employees who have delivered packages for a quarter of a century without an accident.
One of the Tennessee natives lauded for his outstanding driving record was Richard Harty of Bartlett. He, along with 43 other elite drivers from Tennessee, are among 1,582 newly inducted drivers into the company’s elite organization.
Globally, 10,504 UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they’ve racked up 257,221 years and nearly 14 billion safe miles during their careers. That’s enough miles to travel to the moon and back almost 29,000 times.
Tennessee boasts 333 Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 8,315 years of accident-free driving. Michael Matlock of Strawberry Plains is the state’s senior-most safe driver, with 42 years of accident-free driving under his belt. There are 2,583 total UPS drivers in Tennessee.
Globally, 10,504 UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they’ve racked up 257,221 years and nearly 14 billion safe miles during their careers. That’s enough miles to travel to the moon and back almost 29,000 times.
“My thanks go to all of them for their dedication and focus and for the countless lives they’ve saved,” said Charlene Thomas, president, UPS Mid-South District. “Their attention to detail has kept them safe and has helped improve public safety.”
Globally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Thomas Camp of Livonia, Mich., with 55 years of driving without an accident. Ronald McKnight of Bronx, N.Y., is next in line with 49 years of safe driving. One hundred twenty six others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.
UPS issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing safe drivers in 1923. UPS formally established its safe driving honor program in 1928.
In addition to Harty, local honorees include:
- Reginald Allen of Collierville
- Eddie Amos of Memphis
- Rodney Gibson of Cordova
- Randy Hammons of Arlington
- Kevin Jones of Memphis
- Randy Porter of Lakeland
- Barry Smith of Millington
