More than 100 FedEx drivers from 45 states across the USA will compete next month in the NationalTruck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Orlando, Florida. Sponsored by the American Trucking
Associations (ATA), the competition is designed to recognise industry leadership in safety and topromote professionalism among truck drivers.Fred Smith, FedEx president, CEO and chairman, said: “At FedEx, safety is a top priority inevery aspect of our business. This commitment is evident through the performance of the more than1,400 FedEx team members who competed in their respective state truck driving championships and ofour 115 national finalists.”
The 115 FedEx drivers will be among nearly 450 competitors who will compete for nationaltitles in nine different classes of vehicles and for the National Grand Champion title. The driversaccumulate points by demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through awritten exam, pre-trip inspection and field test.
The FedEx drivers taking part in this year’s competition have 2,202 years of professionaldriving experience altogether and have driven nearly 200 million km during their careers, which isenough to circle the globe more than 5,000 times. Eleven of the drivers have won five or more statechampionships.
Sean Saxon, the reigning National Champion in the Step Van class, has driven professionallyfor five years without ever having an accident. “Competing at the NTDC is like playing in the WorldSeries or Super Bowl. Winning a national title last year was my most rewarding experience as aprofessional driver because I competed against the safest drivers from the across the country andcame out on top. It’s truly an honour to have earned the right to return to the competition againthis year,” he said.
