Employee Is Awarded a Diamond Ring for Safe Driving

Willie Barnes has worked for the same company for 18 years and has driven over 1 million miles for business without a single accident. Although, his company says that 1 million miles is a conservative estimate. Rendy Taylor, president of WTI Transport says that,  “He’s probably got 3 million-plus miles, but all that we can go back and record put him over a million.” And you thought you travelled a lot for work, hmm? But, if you’re wondering why Willie Barnes travels so much, his career depends on it.

Willie Barnes, 59, of Tuscaloosa is a truck driver. Barnes attributes his safe driving record to giving himself a couple of hours to “play with” before every trip. The extra time gives him the time he needs to check his truck, tie down its load, and plan out his 300 to 500 mile daily trips. To make sure that he’s put in enough prep time, Willie typically starts his day in the pre-dawn hours.

What do his bosses think about him? 

• “I just can’t say enough about the accomplishment. You just don’t ever hear of it.” -“  Steven Rumsey, CEO of WTI Transport, who is Willie’s employer.

• “A million miles without an accident is pretty remarkable. The fact that he did that with one company is also a pretty outstanding feat.” Ford Boswell, spokesman for the Alabama Trucking Association.

Willie was rewarded for his remarkable achievement on March 30th, which was proclaimed “Willie Barnes Day”. In addition to being honored by having his own day, he was awarded a diamond ring in recognition for his years or dedicated service to WTI Transport. It was the first time the company, that delivers building materials and iron and steel products across the country, had officially recognized him his safe driving record.

Rumsey, WTI’s CEO, says that truck accidents cost the industry million of dollars every year and the cost can be so great that many trucking companies are forced out of business every year, because of it. Rumsey also says that safe truck drivers can help change the negative opinions that drivers have about them. I have experienced that myself, when I drove on a two lane highway in Tennessee. I had a truck in front of me, a truck in my back window, and a truck driving right beside me. I got the feeling that every one of them wished I weren’t on the road. At that point, I was wishing that I wasn’t on the road either. Well, I don’t mean that I wanted to be pushed off the road. I just didn’t like playing road checkers with 3 trailer trucks. I knew that the only place that my car could go was to the right; right off the side of the road. Thankfully, it didn’t and I survived the Tennessee truck-off match!

Barnes says that leaving early lets him concentrate on the road and not the clock. He says he pays careful attention to traffic reports and he keeps his distance from other vehicles. When he has to stop his truck, he wants to make sure he has enough time and room to do that without hitting another vehicle. People who have driven behind Willie say he never drives aggressively.

Barnes also shines at being a reliable driver. His employers say that if his truck is working, he’ll be there”.  Anthony Prewitt, WTI fleet manager, is Willie’s boss and is also his son. When asked if it’s difficult to be the boss of your father, Prewitt said that it works out fine. When Willie is at work, he lets Prewitt be the boss. When they’re at home, the rules change, according to Prewitt.