Dallas, Texas — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) released the list of 18 division winners for its 2025 Fleet Safety Awards, marking the program’s 50th anniversary and spotlighting carriers with the lowest accident frequency ratios per million miles.
The awards matter because they strip away subjective rankings and focus on hard‑numbers that matter to drivers, shippers, and insurers. By measuring accidents per million miles, TCA creates a level playing field for fleets of any size, rewarding disciplined safety programs, driver training, and technology investments that keep rigs on the road and out of the crash statistics.
Six mileage‑based divisions produced the winners, and a total of 18 truckload carriers earned the distinction. Great West Casualty Co. and Arthur J. Gallagher funded the competition, underscoring the insurance industry’s stake in safer operations. Andy Engardio, transportation vertical leader at Arthur J. Gallagher, praised the carriers for “investing in their drivers, prioritizing safe operations and holding themselves accountable every day.” Steve Ponder, senior vice president of Great West Casualty, added that the awards honor carriers who “promote safety through meaningful investments in technology and training.”
What This Means for Drivers
For CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators, the recognition translates into tighter safety standards that can reduce wear on equipment and lower the likelihood of costly downtime. Fleet managers of award‑winning carriers often adopt advanced driver‑assistance systems, real‑time telematics, and regular safety drills, which means drivers receive more consistent coaching and clearer expectations on the road. Those working for carriers that win a division award may see better insurance rates, which can trickle down to higher take‑home pay or lower lease costs for owner‑operators.
Industry Reaction
Industry observers note that the split‑track grand‑prize format—one prize for fleets under 25 million miles and another for those above—recognizes the different operational pressures faced by regional haulers versus national OTR operators. The upcoming Truckload 2026 convention in Orlando, Florida, scheduled for Feb. 28‑Mar. 3, will crown the overall winners, while the Safety and Security Meeting in Oklahoma City, June 7‑9, will formally honor all division champions. The dual‑venue approach signals TCA’s commitment to keeping safety dialogue active throughout the year, a move welcomed by both large carriers and independent owner‑operators.
Key Points
- 18 carriers earned division awards in six mileage categories for 2025.
- Award criteria rely on accident frequency ratios per million miles, not subjective scoring.
- Great West Casualty Co. and Arthur J. Gallagher sponsor the program, emphasizing insurer support for safety culture.
- Grand‑prize winners will be announced at Truckload 2026 in Orlando and later recognized in Oklahoma City.
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