WINNIPEG, (May 18, 2005) — Big Freight Systems’ veteran driver Farley Fries was honoured with the Volvo Trucks Canada 2005 Manitoba Driver of the Year Award this past weekend.

Presenting Fries with the award at the Manitoba Trucking Association’s Awards Banquet, his employer described their loyal driver as one their “ambassadors to the outside world.”

“His reliability, professionalism, commitment, and dedication to his job, and to our industry, make him a great candidate for the award … His extensive knowledge in the trucking industry is only part of what makes him and asset. He works hard, steady and intelligently.”

The Manitoba Driver of the Year is selected from among the 12 Driver of the Month Award winners from the previous year. The selection committee consists of senior officers of the Winnipeg Police Service, the RCMP, and the Chairman of the MTA Associated Trades Division.

Fries was recognized for his over 27 years of safe driving, as well as his dedication to providing excellent customer service and assistance to other drivers. Throughout his career, Fries has operated tractor-trailer units on the highway and winter roads. He is presently running to Minneapolis and rural Manitoba.

What defines Fries, Big Freight continues in a statement, is his ability to switch from hauling very fragile goods such as glass, to driving on some of the most unforgiving terrain, seamlessly. “The challenge of navigating a truck into remote territory is what keeps him coming back for more. When there is a new recruit ready and willing to try winter road driving, Farley is more than happy to train.”

Safety is an integral part of being a successful driver, and Fries is described as achieving the highest of safety benchmarks month after month.

To qualify for the award, drivers must have spotless driving records, often accumulating several million miles of accident-free driving over many years. In addition, they must demonstrate a strong dedication to safety, customer service, equipment care, and more, the MTA says.