MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) named New Brighton, MN resident Michael Matheson, professional truck driver for Manning Transfer, the 2016 Minnesota Driver of the Year at its Driver of the Year Banquet.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76d72bbc-1c2d-4397-a381-fc81b9b0149d
Michael has been driving a truck for 40 years and has driven more than four million safe miles. In fact, in 2015 Manning Transfer provided Michael with an award for ten-plus years of accident free driving.
“This award is a great way to honor the best in our industry. Driving safe is no easy task, especially when you take into consideration his daily driving conditions like congestion, driver distractions and Minnesota winters. Having more than four million safe driving miles is an accomplishment that few truck drivers are able to reach and we’re proud to award Michael for this outstanding achievement,” says John Hausladen, MTA president.
“Mike has been a leader here at Manning when it comes to safety. He has never had a violations on the roadside or been in an accident,” explains Brian Merriam, Safety Director for Manning Transfer. “Additionally, he is conscientious of the safety of the equipment he is driving and always reports any concerns with trailers. Furthermore, when he purchased a new truck in 2014, he paid a considerable amount more for additional safety features like disc brakes on all axels.”
As for why Michael enjoys trucking, “I love that I’m able to travel to all parts of the lower 48 states and meet all kinds of people.” When he’s not hauling cabinetry throughout the northeast part of the country, Michael enjoys spending time with his family and working on his collection of John Deere tractors.
Throughout 2016, exceptional drivers are nominated by their companies and one driver is chosen each month to be the Driver of the Month. The drivers who are chosen meet a high standard of requirements including an outstanding driving and work record; contribution to industry and highway safety; and involvement in the community. In January, MTA hosts the Driver of the Year Banquet and one of the twelve nominees is selected as Driver of the Year by a panel of judges including Dan Drexler, Division Administrator for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Captain Jon Olsen, Minnesota State Patrol.
The Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) is a non-profit trade association representing 700 member-trucking companies and allied firms from across the state. Its mission is to serve as the voice for a safe and successful Minnesota trucking industry. It does so by developing innovative and research-based policies that promote highway safety, educating policymakers and the public about the essential role that trucking plays in the economy, and promoting responsible policies that advance the trucking industry’s environmental goals.