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    Achieving 15 years of safe and accident-free driving is no easy accomplishment, but that’s exactly what Star Transportation drivers Morrell Driggers, Ricky Tidwell, and Joe Weathersby have done.

    “Safety is a culture at Star Transportation. Our motto is ‘Safety First, No Excuses.’ We strive to be the safest fleet in the industry,” Mike Salyers, Director of Driver Resources, said. “Ricky, Morrell, and Joe are excellent drivers, but they are even better people. They are a part of the Star Transportation family and are very much appreciated. Their dedication to their jobs is unmatched by anyone.” He continued, “They are proud of this accomplishment just as we are proud to have them as part of our fleet.”

    To recognize their conscientious driving efforts, Driggers, Tidwell, and Weathersby each received a tractor-trailer made out of crystal in a special awards ceremony held recently at Star.

    “It was difficult to achieve this award with the way people drive these days. I succeeded because of our safety program. There’s been a lot of times that I have relied on what I learned in my safety lessons to assist me on the road,” Ricky Tidwell, of Nashville, Tenn., said.  

    Tidwell always wanted to be a truck driver. “It just seemed like something I always wanted to do…listen to the radio and burn up someone else’s gas going places,” he said. In the time that he has served, Tidwell states, “The industry has done a complete 180…that’s for sure. There is so much emphasis placed on delivery time and not holding up inventory. Merchandise has to be there or a line could shut down and it has to arrive there safely.”

    Being prepared and meeting deadlines is something he feels his co-workers at Star Transportation help him accomplish. “The people at Star are truly great. I have known Mike Salyers since he started. With other places, you’re just a number,” he said. “It’s not that way at Star. You’re part of a family.”

 

    For Morrell Driggers, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., who has been driving for more than 40 years, “Star has always been a good place to work. When I needed anything…whether that is time off or any other kind of request, they always do what they can for me. I feel good about this award.” He continued, “I don’t feel that being a safe driver is a difficult thing to do. I think it’s something that you must learn to do in your day-to-day work.”

 

    For Joe Weathersby, a Star company driver from Jackson, Miss., being a safe driver means paying attention to the details. “You cannot take for granted what the other person is doing. You have to drive defense and offense. If you plan your day, everything goes okay,” he said. “Wherever I go, the Lord is my co-pilot. For that reason, I do not think that drivers should worry. Trucking is a good profession, but it’s a dangerous profession.”

 

    He continued, “Achieving my 15-year safe driving award was not difficult. I think if you know your job and do it, you will not have any problems. This is a profession where you’ve got your freedom and you can name your income, but it’s not for everyone and you have to pay attention.”

 

    Star Transportation, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, specializes in irregular route, dry van, and truckload services. Company terminals are located in Memphis, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; Atlanta, Georgia; and Orlando, Florida, with a drop yard in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Star Transportation employs owner operators, company drivers, and student drivers. To learn about opportunities available with Star Transportation, call 866-906-5505 or visit www.startransportation.com.