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The Road to Safety: 2023 Safest Driver Award
Safety isn’t just a sticker to put on a hard hat; it’s a top priority for all our operations, from preconstruction to the very last pile of dirt moved. That includes the safety of our drivers hauling equipment, water or anything else a jobsite may need — and why we’re invested in keeping our drivers accountable on the road.
Embracing technology on the road
Since September 2023, we’ve been leveraging cutting-edge Samsara AI technology to reward safety excellence through our Driver Safety Program. The technology is able to monitor and analyze driver behavior in real-time. With these valuable insights, we’re able to proactively address potential risks and promote safer habits among our drivers.
The technology is integrated into our fleet vehicles, continuously collecting data on various aspects of driving behavior, including speed, seat belts, phone use and more. This data then generates a driver safety score.
“We have seen a huge decrease in poor driving behavior with the implementation of Samsara technology in our heavy vehicles,” said Eric Theissen, transportation manager. “We have been able to increase following distances, which has reduced the number of crashes we’re involved in. Mobile usage and no seat belt while driving are almost zero now.”
Recognizing the 2023 Safest Driver
As part of our commitment to fostering a safety culture among drivers, we’ve introduced the Safest Driver Award. This award recognizes the individual who demonstrates exceptional dedication to safe driving practices, as reflected in their Samsara Safety Score.
We’re thrilled to announce the 2023 Safest Driver Award recipient is lowboy driver, Billy McCune! A long-time employee-owner, Billy has been moving equipment in and out of countless ESS jobsites across the region for more than 20 years.
“Billy taught me how to haul equipment safely and effectively,” said Darin Kendrick, dispatcher. “He has been a monster asset to our Columbia operations over the years, and his hard work and dedication is noticed throughout our entire branch.”
McCune was honored with the Safest Driver Award on March 29, 2024, at the Columbia Midwest Party.
“We have a lot of extremely talented and safe drivers at ESS, but I can not think of a person more deserving of this recognition than Billy,” said Theissen. “Billy has been driving the same yellow 2000 Kenworth W9 since before he was with ESS. The condition of that truck is a testament of how he drives and the pride he takes in his work.”
The future of driver safety
After receiving the Safest Driver Award, McCune shared some words of wisdom to his fellow drivers.
“Follow protocol and believe in the system because it has shown that it works,” he said.
He also said he’s seeing positive results in the new Driver Safety Program.
“The program is great, and I’ve seen an improvement in my own driving and the driving of others.”
As we continue to use Samsara AI and implement our Driver Safety Program, we look forward to seeing our drivers practicing safety down every mile.
