KLLM Drivers to Represent Mississippi at National Truck Driving Championship
Richland, Miss. – Four drivers from KLLM Transport Services were among the top award winners at the Mississippi Trucking Association’s Truck Driving Championships, recently held in Tupelo. First place winners advanced to the National Truck Driving Championship.
At this trucking competition, the 37th annual for the Mississippi Trucking Association, KLLM drivers Steve Jones, Bill Fambro, Tim Gillette and Kevin Lavespere won awards in their respective categories. Jones (of Monroe, La.) won first place in the five-axle sleeper division. Fambro (of Biloxi, Miss.) won first place in the tanker division. Gillette (of Cullman, Ala.) won first place in the three-axle division. And, Lavespere (of Montgomery, La.) placed third in the flatbed division.
The driving competition is held to improve safety by promoting, encouraging and rewarding driving practices that are safe and responsible. During the competition, each driver must complete a written examination to test his/her knowledge of the trucking industry, driving rules, first aid and other key subjects. Field-testing is done to measure each driver’s ability to identify safety defects in the equipment. Finally, drivers are required to maneuver tractor-trailers through obstacles that test a driver’s ability to operate safely in close quarters.
The Mississippi Truck Driving Championship was held at the Lee County Agricultural Complex in Tupelo. More than 100 drivers from companies and transportation carriers across Mississippi participated in the event. Individual state winners advanced to the National Truck Driving Championship, scheduled for August 21-25 in Minneapolis.
“The drivers competing in this event are the best Mississippi has to offer,” said Vince Schott, KLLM’s Vice President of Information Services and Safety. “Only those drivers with spotless safety records were eligible to compete, and first had to win their own company’s driving championship to even qualify for the state event. We commend these drivers for their commitment to promoting and improving safety on our nation’s highways.”
“Our company is extremely proud of its drivers and the safety record we have achieved,” said Jim Richards, Chief Operating Officer at KLLM. “This is important to us, our customers, and most importantly, the motoring public. KLLM’s drivers and staff remain fully committed to the practice of safe driving behaviors that help protect highway travelers from harm.”
About KLLM Transport Services, Inc.
KLLM is the largest Mississippi-based transportation company, and one of the largest in the southeastern United States, operating a fleet of trucks, temperature-controlled trailers and dry-haul vans. They provide transport of truckload freight to customers throughout the continental United States and Mexico, and maintain a fleet of company-owned tractor/trailers and owner operators. For over 40 years, KLLM has been transporting perishable commodities and dry haul cargo. To learn more about KLLM, call 866-874-5556 or visit www.kllm.com.
