SURREY, B.C. — Canadian Freightways trucker Heinz Alvin (John) Beeler has been named the 2010 Canadian Trucking Alliance/Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year. The announcement was made at the British Columbia Trucking Association’s (BCTA) annual Christmas party Dec. 2.

Event organizers say Beeler was chosen for his demonstrated dedication to safety and impressive collision-free driving career, spanning more than 36 years and almost five million kilometers.  
 
“John Beeler is an outstanding truck driver and a true professional, both on and off the road,” said David Bradley, CEO of Canadian Trucking Alliance. “Canada’s highways are made safer by the efforts of John and other drivers like him. He is very deserving of this prestigious award.”
 
Beeler was presented the award by Terry Warkentin, fleet sales manager of Volvo Trucks Canada, during festivities at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in Surrey. As part of this honour, Beeler received a trophy, cash prize and weekend getaway for two.   
 
 “I am delighted that John has received national recognition for his outstanding safety record,” said Paul Landry, president and CEO of BCTA. “He’s not only logged 36 accident-free years as a professional driver, he has also done it in a province with the most challenging terrain in Canada. He is the first B.C. driver to win the national award since 2003.”
 
Each year, a panel of judges made up of representatives from Transport Canada, the Traffic Industry Research Foundation, Canada Safety Council, the RCMP and the Canadian Trucking Alliance selects a national winner from among recipients of the Driver of the Year award in each province. The national winner is selected for excellence among peers who have maintained a collision-free driving record and otherwise demonstrated exemplary professionalism both on and off the road.
 
Beeler was awarded the B.C. Driver of the Year award at BCTA’s annual Management Conference in June. Officials say his driving record has earned him many accolades from organizations including the National Safety Council, the RCMP and Canadian Freightway. In addition to training company drivers, Beeler also offers his expertise to outside carriers by consulting on safety issues and has assisted authorities in collision investigations. He makes his home in Maple Ridge, B.C., with his wife, Charmaine.