KING CITY, Ont. — Jim Hagen has been on the road for 35 years. During that time, at over 2 million miles, he has never been in a collision.

For that amazing achievement, Hagen joined two other drivers in the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s Hall of Fame for Professional Drivers at the organizations annual conference in King City, Ont.

The annual Hall of Fame induction, sponsored by Huron Services Group, recognizes superior over-the-road performance by drivers whose companies are members of the PMTC.

Jim Hagen, a driver for Maple Leaf for the past 4 years, continues his excellent safety record accumulated with his previous employers. His approach to safety makes him a valuable asset in the training of other drivers.

Also inducted were Vince Russo of Summit Food Service Distributors in London, Ont. and Bill Youden, driving for The TDL Group — both of whom are also exceptional wheelmen.

Russo began working with Summit in 1967 and as of December 31, 2009 had accumulated an incredible 40 years of safe driving with no preventable accidents.

What makes this record even more impressive is the industry in which he works in. During a typical day, Russo needs to maneuver in and around some very narrow back alleys, narrow streets, parked cars and laneways in order to make his deliveries to restaurants, high schools, universities, nursing homes and day care centres — very few of which are designed for deliveries by tractor trailer.

In a bio, PMTC notes that even though Russo is one of Summit’s senior drivers, he continues to choose routes that require the entire load to be unloaded with two-wheeled carts in busy downtown areas.

During his career, Youden has accumulated 27 years of safe driving. Bill is said to consider TDL’s customers to be his own, and, his employer say, delivers quality service no matter what the weather, road closures, or holiday traffic have to say in the matter.

Meanwhile, PMTC also announced awards for Private Fleet safety in two categories.

The 2010 award winners were Pro Distribution Services in the small fleet category and Home Hardware Stores in the big fleet bracket.

The safe fleet competition is open to all Canadian private carriers. Judging is conducted by an independent panel and follows established criteria that concentrates on the company’s overall safety regime and it’s over the road record.