UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced 34 elite drivers from Virginia are among 1,283 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.

Virginia boasts 125 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 3,455 years of accident-free driving. Wilbert Whittaker Jr. of Ruther Glen is the state's senior safe driver, with 38 years of accident-free driving under his belt. There are 2,402 total UPS drivers in Virginia.

Globally, 6,486 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they've racked up 178,663 years and more than 5.3 billion safe miles during their careers, or the equivalent of circling the earth more than 212,000 times.

"My thanks go to all of them for their dedication and focus, and for the countless lives they've saved," said Richard Camejo, president, UPS Mid Atlantic District.

Globally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Thomas Camp of Livonia, Mich., with 50 years of driving without an accident. Thomas Santocke of Dearborn, Mich., and Ronald McKnight of Bronx, N.Y., are next in line with 44 years each of safe driving. Thirty-seven others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.

UPS's 102,000 drivers are among the safest on the roads, logging nearly 3 billion miles a year and averaging less than one accident for every million miles driven.

UPS invested $175 million in 2012 on safety training and employs its own comprehensive driving course called "Space and Visibility." All UPS drivers are taught safe driving methods beginning on the first day of classroom training through the company's defensive driving platform. The training continues throughout their careers.

Founded in 1907, UPS has a rich history of safety and training. The company issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing safe drivers in 1923. In 1928, UPS recognized its first five-year safe driver, Ray McCue, with UPS founder Jim Casey presenting him a gold and platinum watch. UPS formally established its safe driving honor program in 1928.

More information on UPS's commitment to safety is available at http://www.pressroom.ups.com/safety.

UPS (NYSE:UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com and its corporate blog can be found at blog.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

** NOTE: The following pages list local drivers by hometown and UPS center. If you're interested in interviewing or riding along with a local driver, please contact Dan McMackin at dmcmackin@ups.com.

Following is a list of Virginia drivers inducted this year to the Circle of Honor.

 
Driver   Hometown   UPS Work Location
George Anderson North Chesterfield Richmond
Curtis Bedford Manassas Dulles
Frank Blankenship Jr Front Royal Front Royal
James Bowyer Newport News Newport News
Victor Bristow Troutville Roanoke Hub
Robert Brittingham Hampton Newport News
Charles Cheatwood Richmond Richmond
William Cumbow Abingdon Bristol
William Davis Jr Alexandria Alexandria
Joseph Feres Virginia Beach Virginia Beach
William Garnett Glen Allen Richmond
Daryl Gibson Colonial Heights Richmond
Jon Henry Aldie Dulles
Patrick Hutzell Petersburg Richmond
Jennifer Jennings Powhatan Richmond
Randall Johnson Bristol Bristol
David Landram Verona Staunton
Dennis Limrick Chesterfield Richmond
Tina Luketic Danville Danville
Charles Matheney Covington Roanoke Hub
Kurt Minnick Radford Dublin
Ralph Newland Powhatan Richmond
Mark Painter Waynesboro Staunton
James Sage Springfield Alexandria
Michael Short Montvale Roanoke Hub
Timothy Shortt Yorktown Newport News
Johnnie Smith Sperryville Front Royal
Thomas Smith Chespeake Virginia Beach
Keith Taylor Manassas Newington
Alvin Tinsley Jr Chesterfield Richmond
Charles Trescot III Hampton Newport News
Rodney Turner Danville Danville
Herbert Warthan Colonial Heights Richmond
Johnnie West Jr Concord Lynchburg

UPS
Dan McMackin, 404-828-7123
dmcmackin@ups.com