WINNIPEG, Man. — The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) presented Manitoba Driver of the Month awards to seven professional truck drivers, at a recent awards ceremony.

The seven drivers honoured for the months of January to July 2008, together have contributed over 163 years and 20 million kilometres of driving, according to a statement from the MTA.

The MTA awards are as listed:

Driver of the Month for January 2008 is Evan Lounsbury, a professional driver for 21 years who has driven over two million accident-free kilometres on highway, rural and city roads in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Lounsbury drives for Earle’s Transfer.

Driver of the Month for February 2008 is Peter Wiens, a city and local driver for over 40 years who has logged over 3.2 million accident-free kilometres in the Steinbach/Winnipeg area. Wiens drives for Penner International.

Driver of the Month for March 2008 is Jeffrey Dales, a professional driver for six years who has accumulated over three million accident-free kilometres of highway driving in Canada and the US. Dales drives for Len Dubois Trucking.

Driver of the Month for April 2008 is Dennis Barkman, a professional driver for more than 27 years who has logged over four million kilometres on city, highway and winter roads – all accident-free. Barkman drives for Penner International.

Driver of the Month for May 2008 is Max Pieper, a professional driver for 20 years who has covered nearly two million career kilometres, accident-free, for 19 years. Pieper drives for Bison Transport.

Driver of the Month for June 2008 is Leonard Swedick, a professional driver for over 32 years who has driven over 4.5 million accident-free kilometres on city and rural roads, highways and winter roads. Swedick drives for Penner International.

Driver of the Month for July 2008 is Russ Toperoski, a city driver for 16 years who has covered over one million kilometres on Winnipeg roads and has been accident-free for five years. Toperoski drives for Reimer Express Lines.

Custom Truck Sales and Canadian Kenworth have sponsored the awards since 1991. MTA president Earl Coleman of Big Freight Systems hosted the awards event and Jim Clark of Custom Truck Sales presented the awards.