Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/305892
May 2014 | Overdrive | 33 T erry Smith of Miramichi, New Brunswick, has fi ve rules for safety that have helped him to drive 4.75 million accident-free miles in his 42-year career. The fruits of his fi fth rule, which impacts more than safety, helped him earn the industry's top honor: 2013 Owner-Operator of the Year. The award recognizes not just his stel- lar safety record, but also his involvement with trucking causes local and beyond. Smith, who's leased the last four years to Kingston, Ontario's SLH Transport, received the award from the Truckload Carriers Association and Overdrive in March at TCA's annual meeting near Dallas. "Dispatch loves working with Terry," says Bill Oakley, SLH operations manag- er. "He is a very easy-going professional individual who gets the job done safely. Terry is a mentor and spokesperson for the owner-operator group and voices col- lective opinions at our driver council meetings. He shares good ideas that help make SLH more operationally effi cient and environmentally friendly." The morning after receiving his award at the plush Gaylord Texan in Grape- vine, Texas, Smith elaborated on his fi fth rule of safe driving: Don't push yourself to run too many miles. "When I was about 57 years old, my wife and I made the decision to stop chasing money, stop chasing miles, stop chasing to be rich," says Smith, who's now 62. He and Roxanne examined their fi nancial status: no debt (including their home) and steady income. The typical driver mentality of "constant pressure" seemed to make less and less sense, he says: "You need to take the load, you need to run fast, work under conditions that are unsafe to you. We decided to back out." That still means putting in a full day's work – he consistently drives 135,000 miles a year – but at a steady pace that allows good daily rest. "I start in the morning at 7, driving, and I drive 600 miles a day," Smith says. "I'm off the road by 7 p.m. So then I get parked, have time for a nice meal, a little walk if necessary." Drivers' life expectancy is about 61 years old, he says, because too many are overweight, smoke too much and exercise too little. "If you don't have health, all this other stuff goes out the window," Smith says. Owner-Operator of the Year Terry Smith's focus on safety, health and business produces a balance of disciplined professionalism and a vibrant lifestyle. BY MAX HEINE 1 Never tailgate. 2 Never speed. His truck's governed at 65 mph, but he normally drives at 60. "It's safer, I don't get speeding tickets, I get better fuel mileage, I'm not stressed," he says. "People say you have to go fast to make money. I bought nine trucks by driving 60 mph." 3 Think twice about changing lanes. "I ask myself, 'Is this pass necessary?' " Often it's not. 4 Try to let cars merge from entrance ramps. Too many four-wheelers are running late for work, drinking coffee, talking on a cell phone. Rather than risk an incident with a distracted driver, Smith slows down or, if possible, chang- es lanes to facilitate the merger. 5 Don't push yourself to run too many miles. Get plenty of rest. SMITH'S RULES FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY To see a video interview of Smith that was shown at the TCA banquet, scan the code with a smartphone or search online for "Terrance Smith, 2013 Owner-Opera- tor of the Year." TERRY SMITH addressed hundreds of members of the Truckload Carriers Association at their annual meeting outside of Dallas when he accepted his award as 2013 Owner-Operator of the Year. As part of Smith's honor, he won a Cummins-powered 2013 Ram pickup, sponsored by Chevron Delo and Cummins, and a year's supply of Delo oil. OO_of_the_year.indd 33 4/30/14 3:55 PM