One million miles and counting

County resident John “Teddy” Webster has logged 1 million accident-free miles on the road as a truck driver. Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer Driver sales representative John “Teddy” Webster felt a little stressed when he was told that he had only 50,000 miles to go before hitting the 1 million mile accident-free mark at Con-way Freight. For a professional truck driver, 1 million miles of safe driving without an accident is the ultimate measure of excellence.

“It definitely added more pressure,” he said. “That last 50,000 miles was the toughest. I knew I was almost there and that I had to reach the 1 million mile mark.”

The Chesterfield resident hit his target last month. Webster is now a member of an elite club of drivers.

Over the company’s 26-year history, more than 1,500 Con-way Freight driver sales representatives have reached the 1 million mile safe-driving milestone; more than 100 have driven 2 million miles accident-free. Each driver receiving the honor is recognized at an internal celebration and given a monogrammed jacket that reflects the 1 million mile honor.

“Safety is our No. 1 core value,” said Mike Champagne, service center manager at Conway’s Chester office. “In our service center we have a lot of veteran employees. We have eight 1 million milers and two drivers who have hit the 2 million mile mark without an accident.”

Webster, a 15-year veteran of the trucking industry, has been working at Con-way for the past 13 years.

“My father was a truck driver, and my brother-in-law is a truck driver, so I guess it passed on down to me,” he said.

Webster, who has been previously honored by the company with awards for five and 10 years of safe driving, drives approximately 450 miles nightly. His route takes him from Richmond to either Charlotte, N.C. or Hagerstown, Md. When he’s behind the wheel, Webster tries to stay out of harm’s way.

“I try to always be alert and be prepared for whatever happens,” he said. “I’m always watching my mirrors and constantly moving my eyes and watching my surroundings. If you keep your eyes open, you will know that a car is there. If a car is riding beside me, I try to slow down or get past them.”

Webster often encounters car drivers who are distracted because they are talking on the phone or texting.

“It’s something you have to watch for and anticipate,” he said.

Con-way is proud of Webster’s dedication to safety.

“Teddy has done a great job for us,” Champagne said, noting that Webster has served as a trainer for the company. “We know when he leaves at night that he will come back safely.”