NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. — The Private Motor Truck Council (PMTC) of Canada’s Hall of Fame for Professional Drivers added four new drivers to its ranks this year.

Daniel Pilon of Huron Services Group, driving for TONA Transport; Robert Miller of TDL Group; John O’Connell of Global Driver Services, driving for John Deere; and Bruce Hulley of Sparling’s Propane were the latest inductees to the Hall of Fame, which resides on the PMTC’s Web site at www.pmtc.ca.

“There is a cadre of professional commercial truck drivers in Canada who go about their business every day, quietly accumulating safe driving records that are beyond amazing, considering all the adverse conditions they face every day,” said PMTC president Bruce Richards, upon presenting the awards. “But even though there are so many skilled professionals in this job, only a select few match the caliber of the drivers in the PMTC/Huron Services Group Hall of Fame.”

Daniel Pilon: Pilon began his driving career with Huron Services Group in 1975, driving for Dupont Canada’s private fleet which is now operated by TONA Transport. In 33 years of driving, he has racked up 3.1 million miles without a preventable accident. Over the same time, he has missed only 10 days of work due to illness. He’s described by his employer as a “consistent, steady influence and a natural leader among drivers.” He often mentors younger drivers and actively participates in safety meetings.

Bob Miller: Miller also boasts 33 years of safe driving, 20 of which he has spent serving the same customers for TDL Group. He says he has come to think of those customers as his own. Miller actively participates in driver meetings and has been dubbed ‘Mr. Consistency’ by his employer.

John O’Connell: O’Connell has been delivering the goods for John Deere along one of its most important lanes for nearly 30 years. He has accumulated more than five million accident-free kilometres while maintaining a clean abstract. His employer describes him as having a “high level of professionalism and dedication to safety.” He’s also an active member of the company’s Driver Wellness Committee and has shown a genuine interest in the well-being of his fellow drivers.

Bruce Hulley: Hulley has hauled propane for Sparling’s for 27 years, from refineries in Sarnia and Nanticoke to distributors. His employer says he has “consistently exceeded the standards set by the numerous agencies that oversee the industry.” He’s also been described by his employers as “a committed employee who has been responsible for hauling propane and anhydrous ammonia in a variety of vehicle configurations throughout the years, and doing so without incident.”