ORLANDO, Fla. — Ralph Boles of Bison Transport placed third in the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) Equipment Driver of the Year contest.

Boles has been a truck driver with Bison Transport since 1974 and has logged more than 4.5 million accident-free miles during his career, according to TCA. He has accumulated seven safe driving awards and two Driver of the Month awards from the Manitoba Trucking Association.

The Bison driver also sits on Bison’s Driver Advisory Board and its Accident Appeal Board. In this role, Boles is in a position to advise, review and discuss: policies that need to be changed; accidents and how they should be handled; and the concerns of Bison’s drivers and/or the general public. Recently, he has undertaken a new challenge – serving as an in-cab instructor. This opportunity allows Boles to share his extensive experience in mountain driving, helping Bison’s new drivers who are participating in the new driver training program, according to Bison.

“(Ralph) has had the biggest impact on our safety program, and has been actively involved in many safety committees, from equipment spec’ing to accident prevention and driver training, just to name a few,” said Garth Pitzel, director of safety and driver development for Bison Transport.

“I have personally relied on (his) knowledge and expertise as a professional driver, whether it was assisting us in shaping one of our programs or just better understanding the potential impact on one of our many policies or procedures. You call Ralph on the phone and ask for his opinion, he always says ‘let me think about this’ and you know he will be in our office in a couple of days to discuss the matter.”

For his third place prize package, Boles receives $1,200 in truck stop gift cards, $750 cash, and a $250 Best Buy gift card.