Culture of Safety

An accident-free driving record and safe driving practices aren’t just company goals for FedEx drivers, they’re also sport –– and a challenge from FedEx Chairman, President and CEO Fred Smith. That’s because each year, hundreds of FedEx drivers, couriers and contractors practice and study –– both on and off the job –– to compete in the "Super Bowl of Safety,” the American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC). The NTDC recognize industry leadership in safety and promote professionalism among truck drivers. Drivers who have been accident-free for one year can participate in the championships that begin at the state level. Drivers who earn first-place honors in statewide championships progress to the NTDC.

 

At the NTDC, the Team FedEx drivers compete against nearly 400 others for national titles in eight different classes of vehicles and for the National Grand Champion title. The drivers accumulate points by demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a written exam, personal interview, pre-trip inspection and field test.

 

With eight National Champion, two National Grand Champion and two ‘Rookie of the Year’ titles in the past four years, Team FedEx has established a reputation for excellence at the NTDC. In 2003, the first year for the Chairman's Challenge, 902 drivers and contractors from FedEx operating companies competed in state-level competitions from which FedEx registered 58 state champions. In 2006, more than 1,700 drivers and contractors participated in state competitions, and FedEx sent a record 76 competitors to the NTDC. In 2007, FedEx sent a record 78 drivers to the National Truck Driving Championships.