Tidewater Transit, MCO Transport Named Volvo Safety Award Winners
ORLANDO, Fla. — Two trucking fleets based in North Carolina were honored with the 2013 Volvo Truck Safety Award.
“Tidewater Transit and MCO Transport have made safety a top priority, and their outstanding performance reflects that commitment,” said Göran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North American sales and marketing.
The fleets were each presented $25,000 to be used toward their safety-related activities during a presentation here Oct. 21 during American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition.
“Safety doesn’t happen by accident,” Nyberg said, adding that “everyone wins when accidents are avoided.”
Tidewater Transit Co., based in Kinston, earned the award in the over 20 million miles category. The family-owned company, founded in 1949, operates 360 trucks throughout the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast.
During 2012, the fleet had an accident-frequency rate of 0.25 while logging more than 31 million miles.
As an example of Tidewater’s commitment to safety, Nyberg noted the fleet puts new drivers through a “Top Gun” program, pairing hires with a handpicked driver who oversees training.
“Safety goes to the very core of what we do. We have to be safe in this industry,” said John McNairy, Tidewater chairman and CEO. “We are so humbled and proud to be winners of the 2013 Volvo Trucks Safety Award.”
MCO, of Wilmington, was honored in the under 20 million miles category. The firm, which began operating in 1975, operates 88 trucks and logged nearly 6 million miles with one recordable accident, equating to an accident frequency rate of .167.
Nyberg said MCO holds mandatory quarterly safety meetings and recognizes drivers who do not receive any violations during roadside inspections.
The fleet also analyzes electronic data to monitor and continual train drivers.
“Safety is of prime importance to MCO Transport — it’s our No. 1 goal. We’ve made it part of our culture,” MCO President Danny McComas said in a statement. “This award is a culmination of all our effort after many years. It’s confirmation of the fact that you can run a trucking operation and always be safe.”
