2021 IDEA Recipient Allen Parker is pictured with his wife, Connie.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is proud to announce that this year’s International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA) recipient is professional driver Allen Parker with Werner Enterprises Inc. Parker has been with Werner Enterprises for more than 34 years and has safely driven more than four million accident-free miles.
CVSA recognizes the exceptional careers of professional commercial motor vehicle drivers and their commitment to public safety through its driver excellence award. The requirements to apply for this award are not easy to meet. Nominees must have at least 25 cumulative years of crash-free driving in a commercial motor vehicle with a clean driving record for the past three years, no felony convictions, no safety-related driving suspensions in the past three years and no driver violations in the past three years, excluding form and manner violations.
“My reaction upon hearing the fantastic news that I’d received the International Driver Excellence Award was to be humbled,” said Parker. “To be acknowledged by CVSA is truly an honor.”
“Whether it’s his professional activities, like the Werner Road Team and the Truck Convoy® for Special Olympics, or his community involvement through his church and singing the national anthem at public events, Allen represents Werner Enterprises and the trucking industry as a caring professional,” said Jaime Maus, vice president of safety and compliance for Werner Enterprises.
Werner Enterprises was founded in 1956, and in the history of the company, only six drivers have achieved four million accident-free miles.
In addition to his stellar safe-driving history, Parker also does his part for the community. He sings the national anthem before the Stock Car Races at the Jefferson County [Nebraska] Speedway and at the start of minor league baseball games. In addition, Parker participates in the World’s Largest Truck Convoy® for Special Olympics. The Truck Convoy is a one-day celebration of the trucking industry, its allied partners and law enforcement, all working together to raise funds for the Special Olympics.
“This year, especially, the Alliance is honored to award a commercial motor vehicle driver for his safe-driving record and contributions to the community and the trucking industry,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “We, in the commercial motor vehicle enforcement community, know how important commercial drivers are to the fabric of our society. But when the pandemic hit, the public quickly realized that almost everything we need is transported by truck, driven by a truck driver, at some point within the supply chain. Nominating Mr. Parker was Werner’s way of saying thank you. And selecting and naming him as this year’s IDEA recipient is CVSA’s way of saying thank you.”
With decades of driving experience and millions of accident-free miles driven safely on the road, Parker knows exactly what to do to ensure he is operating safely. “To achieve the miles I have driven is great, but they come one mile at a time,” said Parker. “Focusing too far ahead or behind removes my focus from where I am now.”
“Treat the motoring public around you as if it is your family in those cars and trucks,” added Parker. “Try to anticipate the movements of others. And use common sense.”
As you might expect from such an extraordinary driver, CVSA’s IDEA isn’t the only award Parker has received throughout his driving career. He has received multiple President’s Safe Driving Awards from the Nebraska Trucking Association, Werner’s Safe Driver Awards, and one, two, three and four million accident-free miles awards from his company.
When asked what he enjoys most about his profession, Parker said “My job offers opportunities to meet new people every day and see new parts of the country. I enjoy being outdoors and not confined to an office with walls. The sunrise ahead of me and the sunset behind me are my only boundaries.”
“I want to thank the Lord for His protection and care through the years,” said Parker. “And a huge thank you to my wife, Connie, for putting up with my crazy job, and her love and support through two major cancer surgeries. Love ya, babe.”
“I also want to thank Werner Enterprises for giving me a steady job for more than 34 years,” he added. “Their support and strong company ethics have aided me in accomplishing my driving career.”
When he has time away from driving, Parker travels with his wife, singing southern gospel music at churches and gospel music events. In fact, he and his wife have recorded four albums in Nashville.
“We also enjoy putting miles on our motorcycle and spending time with our grandkids and great- grandkids,” added Parker.
Parker will receive his award at the 2021 CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition in the fall. He will be presented with a crystal trophy and a check for $2,500. At this time, the annual conference is still scheduled to be held in-person in Wilmington, Delaware.
PrePass Safety Alliance sponsored this year’s IDEA. PrePass Safety Alliance’s mission is to make highways safer and more efficient through innovative data-driven solutions. Its services help increase safety, reduce delays and costs, and enhance the economic and environmental benefits that the freight sector contributes to the nation.
The nomination period for the 2022 International Driver Excellence Award will open in September.