Service on the Ground

All Featured Stories    1 | 2 | 3 | 4  

Once the vehicles are loaded with the day’s deliveries, that “last mile” journey begins. And it’s here where UPS’s drivers – the best, and safest in the industry – excel at what they do. The UPS driver strikes a fine balance between practiced efficiency and improvisation. If you watch closely, you may notice how they always seem to carry their keys on their pinky finger, never leave their truck idling (even if they’re only getting out for a moment), and always tap the horn before backing up.

These are practiced actions – part of a series that UPSers call the “340 Methods” – that have come from years of careful measurement and study – of what’s most efficient, and safest. These “methods” cover almost everything, even down to the way a UPS driver puts on his seatbelt – with his left hand – while at the same time turning on the ignition – with his right.

This kind of careful study also influences UPS’s extensive driver-safety training programs. Each driver at UPS participates in hours and hours of classroom and on-the-road training, during which time they learn the Five Seeing Habits, which is probably why our drivers are among the safest in the industry. In fact, in 2006, UPS included 4,202 drivers in its “Circle of Honor”, which recognizes drivers who have gone accident free for 25 years.

Among that group, 107 have gone 35 years without an accident, and six have gone 40. Kentucky District tractor-trailer driver Ron Sowder is currently UPS’s safest driver. On January 25, 2007, Ron marked his 45th year of driving without an accident. During that time, he’s logged about three million miles.

That’s ground with UPS. Make sure to check out the gallery to see the pictures.

The statistical information included here was current at the time it was published in 2007. To see more recent statistics, visit our pressroom.

All Featured Stories    1 | 2 | 3 | 4