AWARD WINNER INSIGHT 2021 IMTA OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR John W. Smith, Warren Transport, Inc.
The professional truck driver is without question the foundation of this great industry. These true professionals not only deliver the products we all depend on, but they also deliver the peace of mind that only a true professional can deliver. We are all the beneficiaries of their professionalism, commitment, and compassion. Additionally, professional truck drivers exemplify what it means to be a selfless hero because they care more about what others need than what they themselves need.
How do you define professionalism and how do you “walk the walk” every day as a professional truck driver? A professional truck driver takes their driving seriously and leads by example in their driving efforts or on a personal level. For me, my career, my license, my life revolves around trucking and safety is my lifeblood. Doing everything safely ensures my livelihood is protected and the other motorists around me are protected as well. As a professional you never hesitate to help others and continually try to improve the image of truck drivers. We are the image of the industry and need to convey that appropriately.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a trucking company as they are recruiting new drivers?
As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. Companies need to be realistic and honest about what they have to offer. The worst thing companies can do from a retention standpoint is to be dishonest. You’ll lose drivers or other employees quickly if word spreads.
2021 IMTA Outstanding Professional Truck Driver of the Year John W. Smith Warren Transport, Inc.
As an industry, we continue to deal with an escalating driver shortage. Do you believe that simply increasing driver pay is the solution or is there other things that should be done to attract people to our industry?
I most certainly think pay is part of the ongoing problem, but I also think we need to improve our image to the public. Kids no longer want to grow up to be a truck driver like I did, the industry needs to capture the attention of our highschoolers and really explain and show them what being a truck driver means. Need to make it a cool career, which it really is.
What is your most valuable safety tip that you would give to a brand-new truck driver?
Turn off the phones and other electronic devices when you are driving so you have less distractions. Safety keeps us alive, and we need safety protocols to keep out or rid our industry of the bad actors who don’t put safety as their #1 priority.
What is one driving tip you would like to give to every driver on the road that isn’t a truck driver?
2022 IMTA ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM Through the IMTA Annual Awards Program the Iowa Motor Truck Association offers a variety of opportunities for members to gain further recognition of their own employees or departments that continually demonstrate tremendous dedication in the areas of safety, maintenance and operations. Nomination forms for 2022 are now available under the events tab at iowamotortruck.com. Deadline to apply is Friday, July 22.
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IOWA TRUCKING LIFELINER
Exactly the same thing I’d suggest to a brand-new truck driver. Distraction can be deadly, so you need to be more aware of what is going on in front of you on the road, not on your cellphone.
As a professional truck driver how do you think we can successfully combat distracted driving?
Continue having discussions about the losses we all have due to the distractions. The hard truths need to be explained, it’s more than just an “accident” it’s about peoples’ lives being impacted.
As states continue to develop solutions to combat the ongoing issues with truck parking, what are some factors they should consider as they try to create additional parking? I think States should stop shutting down rest areas because reopening them would help a great deal. We don’t ask for a lot other than a place to park, restrooms, and trash receptacles. Simple improvements can make a huge difference in our world.
