Smart wheels

Seven USPS employees honored for safe driving

Oct. 29, 2015 at 11:28 a.m. ET

Seattle Tractor-Trailer Operator Jimmy Ellis, one of this year’s Kaplan Safe Driver Award recipients

Driving safely is no accident.

Just ask the seven USPS employees who recently received the Joseph M. Kaplan Safe Driver Award from the National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes accident-free workplaces.

The award honors professional drivers and others who have safe driving records.

The council chooses one employee from each Postal Service area. This year’s honorees:

Bill Augustine, a Reading, PA, driver safety instructor (Eastern)
Johnnie Bell, an Oklahoma City letter carrier (Southern)
Bill Bray, a Winston-Salem, NC, letter carrier (Capital Metro)
Russell Burlingame, a Jamesville, NY, rural carrier (Northeast)
Jimmy Ellis, a Seattle tractor-trailer operator (Western)
William Narlock, a Milwaukee letter carrier (Great Lakes)
Charles Pettus, an Oakland, CA, tractor-trailer operator (Pacific)

Ellis, who was recognized for 31 years of accident-free driving, said it’s important to “always keep a safe driving distance. Read the road ahead and be prepared for the unexpected.” (Advice from the other honorees appears in the photo captions below.)

Any USPS facility may nominate drivers for the award. Judging is based on candidates’ career driving record, including total number of years and miles driven and total number of incidents.

More information is available on the council’s site.

Safe driver awards Augustine

Reading, PA, Driver Safety Instructor Bill Augustine has driven 45 years without causing an accident. “Never attempt to deliver the mail while operating your vehicle,” Augustine says.Reading, PA, Driver Safety Instructor Bill Augustine has driven 45 years without causing an accident. “Never attempt to deliver the mail while operating your vehicle,” Augustine says.

Safe driver awards Bell

Oklahoma City Letter Carrier Johnnie Bell has more than 45 years of accident-free driving. “Never, ever get in a hurry [that] could cause you to hurt yourself as well as someone else,” Bell says.Oklahoma City Letter Carrier Johnnie Bell has more than 45 years of accident-free driving. “Never, ever get in a hurry [that] could cause you to hurt yourself as well as someone else,” Bell says.

Safe driver awards Bray

Winston-Salem, NC, Letter Carrier Bill Bray has driven more than 25 years with no at-fault accidents. “Take pride in your job. When you care about the things you do, safety comes naturally,” Bray says.Winston-Salem, NC, Letter Carrier Bill Bray has driven more than 25 years with no at-fault accidents. “Take pride in your job. When you care about the things you do, safety comes naturally,” Bray says.

Safe driver awards Burlingame

Jamesville, NY, Rural Carrier Russell Burlingame has 53 years of accident-free driving. “Never back up. If you miss a delivery, follow proper dismount procedures and walk the mail back,” Burlingame says.Jamesville, NY, Rural Carrier Russell Burlingame has 53 years of accident-free driving. “Never back up. If you miss a delivery, follow proper dismount procedures and walk the mail back,” Burlingame says.

Safe driver awards Narlock

Milwaukee Letter Carrier William Narlock has more than 45 years of accident-free driving. “There’s no reason to be speedy or take chances out there on the road. Always drive defensively,” Narlock says.Milwaukee Letter Carrier William Narlock has more than 45 years of accident-free driving. “There’s no reason to be speedy or take chances out there on the road. Always drive defensively,” Narlock says.

Safe driver awards Pettus

Oakland, CA, Tractor-Trailer Operator Charles Pettus has driven more than 31 years with no accidents. “I stay aware of what I’m doing and what other drivers are doing — even when I’m not driving,” Pettus says.Oakland, CA, Tractor-Trailer Operator Charles Pettus has driven more than 31 years with no accidents. “I stay aware of what I’m doing and what other drivers are doing — even when I’m not driving,” Pettus says.

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