NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. – Pro Trucking Systems, TDL Group and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods were acknowledged as among the safest private fleets during the Private Motor Truck Council’s annual general meeting.

The companies were judged by an independent panel which looked at established criteria including the company’s overall safety regime and on-road record. Winners of the awards, sponsored by Zurich, were recognized during a special luncheon.

“Zurich and the PMTC congratulate the management and drivers of these fleets,” said Bruce Richards, president of PMTC. “It is their efforts in promoting and managing with road safety in mind that results in their exemplary safety records. They are excellent examples of well-run fleets.”

Pro Trucking Systems of Burlington, Ont. was the winner in the Small Fleet category. This year marks the third time the company has won the award in the past 10 years.

The company operates six power units and 13 trailers, delivering weekly flyers to more than 200 newspapers. Pro Trucking operates mainly in the GTA, yet still maintains a clean CVOR. The company has penned a Safety Policy Statement and published a Driver Policy that clearly outlines safety expectations and requirements. New drivers are required to spend their first week with an experienced driver and the operations manager, and regular safety meetings are held to review safety concerns and address any CVOR issues.

The TDL Group, better known as Tim Horton’s, won the Large Fleet division. The fleet consists of 100 tractors and 210 trailers which are operated by 208 drivers.

TDL has undergone significant growth following the opening of a new distribution centre in the Guelph area.

The company’s drivers will travel more than five million kilometres this year alone. TDL’s safety program includes extensive orientation with new drivers, with new hires spending 40 hours with a driver-trainer and a further two weeks driving with a mentor.

All collisions are reviewed by a committee and TDL offers incentives to safe drivers including safety bonuses and other awards. The company boasts a low CVOR violation rate of 11%.

In the Most Improved Fleet category, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods was given top honours. The fleet operates 17 tractors and 120 trailers and runs about 1.8 million kilometres per year.

The fleet has a safety management program in place that requires new hires to undergo an orientation as well as training with senior drivers.

Last year, Maple Leaf had a CVOR violation rate of 13.7%. It has since been reduced to 6.98% thanks to a renewed focus on fleet safety.