Byron truck driver honored for 1 million accident-free miles

"Safe driving is the key to getting home safely and returning home to your family safely. Whether it's driving or anything else, safety is the key."

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Frederick Way, a 14-year truck driver for XPO, was honored with an outstanding achievement on Wednesday—1 million accident-free miles.

To put this accomplishment into perspective, 1 million miles is equivalent to driving from New York to Los Angeles about 359 times one-way or 179 times round-trip.

Way says he’s appreciative of this recognition.

“I’m very excited about accepting this award, because it lets me know that it is safe to do something and be safe while you’re doing it,” he said.

He explains that a close friend convinced him to start driving trucks 16 years ago. He quickly learned that safety was the main component of operating a semi.

“Safe driving is the key to getting home safely and returning home to your family safely, he said. “Whether it’s driving or anything else, safety is the key.”

Way shared a few tips for future truckers.

“Get the bigger picture, stay dedicated, never rush, always do the right thing,” he said.

Regional safety manager Kevin Lannen says an award like this is important to highlight.

“Our drivers do this day to day with a smile on their face,” he said. “Driving a commercial motor vehicle isn’t easy, and to do so, safely, accident free, for a milestone such as a million miles is impressive, and we want to reward our drivers for doing that.”

He says Way is deserving of this recognition because of his daily sacrifice.

“We come to work every day to support our families, so to get home safely to our families, while keeping the public safe, and doing so with a smile, we’re very impressed with Fred,” Lannen said.

Way spent a significant amount of his accident-free time working in pickup delivery in Atlanta, making this achievement even more impressive.

Way has been driving trucks for 14 years at XPO and also serves as a driver-trainer for new hires at the service center.