Maverick Road Trainer Wins Million-Mile Safe Driving Award

By Capillya Uptergrove, Marketing Director, Maverick Transportation

Don Perry, one of Maverick Transportation’s most recent Million Mile Safe Driving Award recipients, has a long history of commitment to excellence and safety in the transportation industry. With an impressive 16-year career as a professional driver, Perry has accumulated over 1 million miles of crash-free driving. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to his dedication to safety on the road.

“He’s a true champion of safety on the road, and we are proud to recognize his achievements with our Million Mile Safe Driving Award,” said Maverick Director of Safety and Compliance Brett Graves.

Perry also imparts his safe driving skills to others. He has been a Maverick road trainer for more than 11 years, which speaks to his character and penchant for teaching. “It also demonstrates why he is such a good fit for our company,” added Graves. “Sharing knowledge, experience and wisdom with the next generation of professional drivers is an integral part of our backbone when it comes to safety culture at Maverick.”

“Becoming a safe driver takes more than just technical skills. It takes grit and determination to teach a student how to navigate the challenges of the road,” said Graves. “The process involves teaching driving techniques, fatigue management, best practices and time management – it’s an extensive list to manage. It also requires patience and an understanding that each student learns differently. A successful road trainer must be an excellent communicator and role model, instilling the importance of safety in every aspect of the job.”

In 2019, Perry was handpicked from the Maverick road trainer pool as a Trainer Finalist and invited to Maverick’s inaugural

Trainer Summit, where he met with multiple departments, management and leadership to discuss ideas to improve the road trainer/ driver experience. He also provided critical feedback as an advocate for all of our road trainers. Maverick again selected Perry as a Trainer Finalist in 2021, when he was awarded Trainer of the Year, a very high honor among the fleet.

“In an industry that strives to achieve zero deaths, Perry stands out as a shining example of what can be achieved through a steadfast commitment to safety. His 1 million miles of accident-free driving is a remarkable accomplishment that serves as an inspiration to others in the transportation industry,” said Graves.