The recognition took place during ATA’s 2026 Safety, Security & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition. The winners were recognized at ATA’s 2026 Safety, Security & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition Awards Banquet sponsored by Tenstreet.

The focus wasn’t just on policies or paperwork. The spotlight was on real-world performance, fleets logging millions of miles, drivers maintaining strong safety records, and organizations building habits that reduce risk on the road and in the yard.

Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO, said, “Safety and security in trucking are at the core of everything we do. They are what keep operations running smoothly and, even more important, protect every driver on the road. The professionals in this space play a critical role in the industry’s success. For many, it becomes a long-term commitment to continuously improve standards and prevent risk. At the end of the day, their work goes beyond compliance. They are actively helping to save lives every time a truck travels our roadways.”

Fleets Recognized for Mileage-Based Safety

Awards were handed out based on miles traveled, highlighting carriers that maintained strong safety performance at different operating scales:

• Over 100 million miles: A. Duie Pyle Inc.
• Between 25 and 100 million miles: Red Classic
• Under 25 million miles: Alaska West Express

These categories reflect how safety performance is measured across fleets of different sizes, not just the largest operations.

Individual and Association Honors

The event also recognized standout performance beyond fleet operations.

• 2025 National Driver of the Year: Don Carpenter of Old Dominion Freight Lines
• 2025 Excellence in Safety: Tennessee Trucking Association

Jacob Pierce, executive director of the council, said, “We’re thrilled to honor this year’s recipients. Each plays a key role in building a safer, more resilient culture throughout our industry. From motor carriers to state association leaders and drivers on the road, their commitment is vital to promoting safety, and we deeply appreciate their hard work.”

Why It Matters on the Road

Awards like these point to something bigger than a single event. They reflect how safety shows up day to day, in maintenance checks, decision-making behind the wheel, and how companies handle risk before it turns into a problem.

Recognition programs also set a benchmark. Fleets and drivers can see what strong performance looks like and where the bar is being set across the industry.

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The grand prize went to Mill Creek Motor Freight of Ayr, Ontario, in the small carrier division, which includes fleets running less than 25 million miles annually. In the large carrier division, the top honor was awarded to Bison Transport of Winnipeg, Manitoba, for fleets logging 25 million miles or more each year.

According to the association, both companies stood out because of their well-structured safety programs and low accident frequency ratios throughout the year.

Safety Performance Recognized Across the Industry

The Fleet Safety Awards program highlights fleets that consistently place safety at the center of their operations. The competition is supported by industry partners, including Great West Casualty Company and Gallagher, both long-time supporters of safety initiatives within trucking.

“Great West Casualty Company is proud to support the TCA Fleet Safety Awards and recognize carriers that set the standard for safety excellence across our industry,” said Steve Ponder, Senior Vice President, Great West Casualty Company. “Mill Creek Motor Freight and Bison Transport exemplify the commitment, accountability, and leadership it takes to keep our roads safer for everyone.”

Safety Culture Remains a Competitive Advantage

For fleets across North America, awards like this highlight the role that training, leadership, and driver accountability play in preventing crashes and protecting both drivers and the public.

“Gallagher is honored to partner with TCA in celebrating fleets that prioritize safety at every level of their operations,” said Andy Engardio, Transportation Vertical Leader, Gallagher. “These Grand Prize winners demonstrate that strong safety cultures not only protect drivers and the public, but also strengthen the entire trucking industry.”

Recognition Continues at Summer Safety Meeting

The two grand prize winners will be recognized again later this year during the TCA Safety & Security Meeting scheduled for June 7 through June 9 in Oklahoma City. Carriers that finished in the top three within each mileage division will also be acknowledged during the event.

Industry leaders view the awards as a way to spotlight fleets that demonstrate how consistent safety practices can deliver results both on the road and within company operations.

Source: Truckers News

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“This award is a testament to the unwavering dedication to safety and quality demonstrated by the team at Chalk Mountain,” said Aaron Yeager, CEO. “We couldn’t be prouder of their efforts and results.”

Consistent Track Record of Safety

This marks the third time in four years that Chalk Mountain has taken home the Grand Champion title. The company has also held the top spot in its mileage category for four consecutive years, underscoring a culture built around driver safety and operational excellence.

Founded in 2006, Chalk Mountain has grown into what its press release describes as “a leader in the transportation and logistics industry, managing operations in Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Ohio.”

Recognition at TXTA’s Annual Conference

The award was formally presented during TXTA’s Annual Conference in Austin, Texas. The Grand Champion honor is given to the carrier that demonstrates both the lowest accident frequency rate and the strongest safety program overall.

Along with its Grand Champion win, Chalk Mountain also captured first place in the Local Over 10 Million Mile category. In addition, David Serach, senior director of safety, was honored with TXTA’s Distinguished Safety Award — a reflection of the company’s ongoing investment in its people and processes.

The Role of TXTA in Texas Trucking

As the “Unified Voice of Texas Trucking,” TXTA has represented the industry since 1932. The association’s 1,000 member organizations range from small fleets to Fortune 500 companies, working together to advance safety, education, and advocacy.

“The organization stands as a trusted advocate for public policy, educational excellence, and professional safety,” Chalk said.

With its latest recognition, Chalk Mountain continues to set the standard for safety performance across Texas and beyond.

Source: The Trucker
Image Source: Chalk Mountain

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About the Heil Trophy & Safety Contest

The NTTC Competitive Safety Contest is open exclusively to its for-hire tank truck carrier members and private fleet members in good standing. Participants are grouped into mileage-based class categories to ensure fair competition based on organizational size.

The competition spans two rounds. Round 1—focused on identifying the top carriers in various mileage categories—closed on January 29, 2024, with winners being revealed today, February 19. These winners progress to Round 2, taking place February 20 through March 5.

During Round 1, carriers received accolades in three categories—Grand, Honor, and Merit—within their respective mileage classes. Round 2 will determine the ultimate Heil Trophy winners across three divisions:

• Harvison Division (Over 15 million miles)

• Sutherland Division (Under 15 million miles)

• Private Fleet Division

The final Heil Trophy recipients will be unveiled during NTTC’s Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida, scheduled for April 21–24, 2025.

Private Fleet Division: Round 1 Highlights

Class 5

• Grand Award – Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

• Grand Award – Cato, Inc.

• Honor Award – Kuehne Chemical Company

Class 4

• Grand Award – LSP Transport LLC

• Honor Award – R B Stewart Petroleum Products Inc.

• Merit Award – Poolsure

Class 3

• Grand Award – Casey’s Services Company

• Honor Award – Irving Oil Limited

• Merit Award – SWTO, LLC

Class 2

• Grand Award – CLI Transport, LP

• Honor Award – ADM Trucking

Class 1

• Grand Award – Gemini Motor Transport

• Honor Award – Pilot Travel Centers LLC

Sutherland Division Winners (Under 15 Million Miles): Round 1

Class 10

• Grand Award – Glendenning Brothers Inc.

• Grand Award – Lacy’s Express, Inc.

• Grand Award – Ventura Transfer Company

• Honor Award – J&S Transport Co., Inc.

• Merit Award – Weaver Bros., Inc.

Class 9

• Grand Award – Ee-Jay Motor Transports, Inc.

• Grand Award – MBH Trucking, LLC

• Honor Award – Dibble Trucking Inc.

• Merit Award – PAR Trucking, Inc.

Class 8

• Grand Award – Newman Carriers

• Honor Award – Liquid Cargo Group

• Merit Award – Alaska West Express Inc.

Class 7

• Grand Award – Wynne Transport Service, Inc.

• Honor Award – G&D Trucking Inc. / Hoffman Transportation LLC

• Merit Award – Hazmat Environmental Group, Inc.

Class 6

• Grand Award – Crossett Inc.

• Honor Award – Associated Petroleum Carriers, Inc.

• Merit Award – Commercial Transport, Inc.

Harvison Division Winners (Over 15 Million Miles): Round 1

Class 5

• Grand Award – Modern Transportation LLC

• Honor Award – AJ Weigand / Harmac Transportation

• Merit Award – Tandet Group

Class 4

• Grand Award – GenOx Transportation Inc.

• Honor Award – Service Transport Company

• Merit Award – Bulkmatic LLC

Class 3

• Grand Award – Ergon Trucking

• Honor Award – Slay Transportation

• Merit Award – Schneider National Bulk Carriers

Class 2

• Grand Award – Western Dairy Transport

• Honor Award – Groendyke Transport, Inc.

• Merit Award – Oakley Transport Inc.

Class 1

• Grand Award – Trimac Transportation

• Honor Award – Kenan Advantage Group

• Merit Award – Foodliner, Inc. / Quest Liner

Source: Truckers News

Image: National Tank Truck Carriers

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The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has officially announced the 18 division winners of its 49th Annual TCA Fleet Safety Awards. Sponsored by Great West Casualty Company and Assured Partners, the awards highlight motor carriers that have achieved exceptional safety performance within their divisions.

Recognition for Dedication to Roadway Safety

“Every year, these submissions and ratios are growing tighter and tighter as a testament to the programs and technology that motor carriers are using to improve upon their safety performance,” stated Dave Heller, TCA’s senior vice president of safety and government affairs. “Involvement in TCA and other industry associations have demonstrated and proven the very notion that there are no secrets in safety and our industry’s fundamental goal of eliminating fleet vehicle accidents and fatalities on our roadways is an objective that we are ultimately striving for. I congratulate these 18 motor carriers that have led the way this year and the tireless efforts of every motor carrier in our industry that constantly strives to improve upon their operations by continuously placing safety first.”

This annual recognition shines a spotlight on carriers that prioritize safety by maintaining the lowest accident frequency ratios per million miles traveled, divided into six mileage-based categories.

Road to Grand Prizes

The 18 winners are now eligible to compete for one of two prestigious grand prizes, which will recognize the safest carriers among different mileage brackets. One prize will honor carriers with under 25 million miles annually, while the other will be awarded to carriers surpassing that threshold.

The grand prize winners will be unveiled at Truckload 2025, TCA’s Annual Convention, happening from March 15-18, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Additionally, all winners will be celebrated at TCA’s 2025 Safety & Security Meeting, scheduled for June 8-10 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Honoring 2024’s Fleet Safety Division Winners

Division I (Less than 5 million miles)

• 1st Place: Liberty Linehaul West, Inc. – Montebello, CA

• 2nd Place: Meyers Brothers Trucking – Pioneer, OH

• 3rd Place: Next Logistics – Marshfield, WI

Division II (5-14.99 million miles)

• 1st Place: Stallion Transportation Group – Beebe, AR

• 2nd Place: B.R. Williams Trucking – Oxford, AL

• 3rd Place: Transpro Freight Systems – Milton, ON, Canada

Division III (15-24.99 million miles)

• 1st Place: Unlimited Carrier Inc. – Bolingbrook, IL

• 2nd Place: Loblaw Transport, Inc. – Calgary, AB, Canada

• 3rd Place: Lion Force Transport Inc. – Brampton, ON, Canada

Division IV (25-49.99 million miles)

• 1st Place: Erb Transport Ltd – New Hamburg, ON, Canada

• 2nd Place: Johnson Feed Inc. – Canton, SD

• 3rd Place: Trans-West Logistics – Lachine, QC, Canada

Division V (50-99.99 million miles)

• 1st Place: Challenger Motor Freight Inc. – Cambridge, ON, Canada

• 2nd Place: Nussbaum Transportation – Hudson, IL

• 3rd Place: Decker Truck Line Inc. – Fort Dodge, IA

Division VI (100 million or more miles)

• 1st Place: Bison Transport – Winnipeg, MB, Canada

• 2nd Place: CFI – Joplin, MO

• 3rd Place: Prime Inc. – Springfield, MO

Learn More About the TCA Fleet Safety Awards

For additional details about the TCA Fleet Safety Awards, including eligibility criteria and rules, visit the TCA Fleet Safety Awards webpage.

Source: The Trucker

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