ORLANDO, Fla. — Bison Transport of Winnipeg, Man. has been named one of the safest carriers in North America at the Truckload Carriers Association’s 2005 National Fleet Safety Awards.

U.S.-based TCA presented the award to Rob Penner, vice-president, operations of Bison, for winning the category of companies operating over 25 million miles annually. The award was handed out at the association’s annual banquet in Orlando, Fla.

Rocha Transportation of Modesto, Calif., won for companies operating under 25 million miles annually.

The two fleets were selected from among 18 division winners in the National Fleet Safety Division Awards announced in January. Both companies were judged strive for their stringent standards in their overall safety programs, on and off highway, as well as their commitment to improving safety on U.S. highways.

Operating under the philosophy, “we do what is right,” Bison’s safety expenditures are not subject to a cost benefit analysis because the company understands that the accident that you never had made the biggest difference of all. Bison drivers are empowered to make decisions as to whether they can complete a trip safely and legally, through “The Right to Decide Policy” and safe drivers are rewarded through the company’s Safe Driving Awards Program, which provides financial incentives to stay safe.

Bison — Canada’s 13th largest for-hire carrier, operating almost 2800 pieces of equipment — was the first Canadian fleet to purchase and employ simulators as part of its Tatonka training program. Bison’s commitment to safety spans training through entire trucking careers and explains why since 2002 their annual accumulated safe driving miles has increased by almost 50 percent.