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.

2021 IMTA Outstanding Professional Truck Driver of the Year

John W. Smith Warren Transport, Inc.

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.

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.

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?

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.

2021 IMTA MASTER TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR

Dean Key, Ruan Transportation

The definition of “master” is someone that is very adept, experienced, skillful, an “ace.” Someone that is extremely proficient, someone that has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to achieving excellence in a very focused manner. A “master” has a record that demonstrates and shows that they are worthy of being in a category of their own. Unprecedented excellence, record breaking, untouchable achievements. All these words appropriately describe what it takes and what it means to be able to be recognized as a Master Truck Driver.

How do you define professionalism and how do you “walk the walk” every day as a professional truck driver?

I believe that a true professional is one who takes pride in his/her work, does everything to the best of their ability and does everything they can to lighten the load of people around them. It is also someone who takes care of themselves, presents themselves professionally and with a good attitude. Treat people you encounter with respect. You are representing your company, your company’s customers, and the industry. Take pride in that. A professional is also someone who keeps his/her equipment clean and in great condition – inside and out. Everything here is image portrayal. I do my best to show up as a Picasso, not a junkyard heap.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a trucking company as they are recruiting new drivers?

Treat potential employees with integrity. Don’t fake it – have it. People can tell if you don’t. If you exude integrity, you will earn people’s respect. And yes, this should go both ways.

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 think that pay is the biggest thing to attract folks into the industry. But I also think that most people don’t want to be away from home weeks on end. The availability of more frequent home time is also a big one. I also believe that people have no idea what the industry is, what it does, and what it can provide for them, so education on the industry is much needed.

What is your most valuable safety tip that you would give to a brand-new truck driver?

2021 IMTA Master Truck Driver of the Year

Dean Key Ruan Transportation

Always be aware of your surroundings. Whether you are driving down the road, sitting somewhere or fueling, loading, or unloading, always pay attention to the task at hand. If you are always paying attention, you will always have time to react.

What is one driving tip you would like to give to every driver on the road that isn’t a truck driver?

Give large vehicles space. Large vehicles require more space than cars to start, stop and maneuver. Please work with large vehicles. We aren’t trying to be in your way on purpose!

As a professional truck driver how do you think we can successfully combat distracted driving?

I’m not sure what the best way is. Most anything can be a distraction. I believe that there is not enough education when it comes to distracted driving. Driver’s should be taught not only about what distracted driving is, but also what can happen in those short seconds of time. My recent experience with driving simulators tells me that simulators may be one way of doing so. It is ultimately about how to get drivers to make good decisions while driving.

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 that a lot of the reason that there isn’t more truck parking is because of the resources it takes to maintain simple truck parking. Availability of restaurants/groceries at least within deliverable distance. Garbage receptacles are a must. I think that at least minimalist restrooms should be available. A safe location is a must if you want drivers to get decent rest.