Lytx Inc., a provider of video safety solutions, celebrated the "best of the best" with its 2023 Driver of the Year awards. According to the Lytx, each of these winners demonstrated a commitment to using Lytx’s safety technology to advance their driving and customer service skills while improving their companies’ leadership by serving as peer mentors and instructors. 

This year, Lytx selected the winners and runners-up of the Driver of the Year and Coach of the Year from five different categories:

• Services/Utilities.

• Transit/Motor Coach.

• For-Hire Trucking.

• Private Trucking.

• Waste/Construction.

According to a release from Lytx, these awards recognize the dedication of these drivers and coaches to achieve their companies’ safety and operational goals, while staying accident-free using the Lytx Driver Safety Program.

“We applaud these deserving drivers and coaches for their continued efforts and commitment to making the roadways a safer place for everyone,” said David Riordan, Lytx’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise. “Each year we conduct these awards, we are captivated by the incredible stories of our transportation professionals, reminded of how valuable they are to our communities, and humbled that they chose Lytx to help train and execute their safety improvement programs.”

Lytx technology analyzes more than 221 billion miles of driving data, and uses it to fuel the Lytx Driver Safety Program, which combines machine vision, AI, and coaching to accurately detect and correct risky and distracted driving behaviors. Lytx harnesses the power of video to give drivers and fleets the tools needed to help them improve their safety programs and succeed on today’s roadways.

Who Won in 2023?

Focusing on the commercial/vocational fleet award winners, for 2023 the following Driver of the Year awards were presented: 

Services/Utilities

• First Place Winner – Mario Lopez, Jr. (Fairfax County DPWES Stormwater): Mario, a Smith System certified driver, takes pride in never having had a risky driving coachable event, moving violation, or preventable collision in his eight-year career. As a public service worker and emergency responder to storm events, Mario commonly finds himself in hazardous situations and always prioritizes safety. He spends time mentoring younger drivers in Fairfax County, VA to help them navigate busy suburban roads as a “Behind-the-Wheel” instructor. “My commitment to safe driving comes with the hope that all drivers, pedestrians, residents, and myself return home safely to our families,” Mario says.

• Second Place – Andrew DeForest (Professional Teleconcepts, LLC)

• Third Place – Billy Scott (Sonic.net)

Trucking – For Hire: 

• First Place Winner – Sam Landrum (Maverick Transportation, LLC): Sam has been driving for 35 years, 29 with Maverick. Each time a driver travels a million miles for a company without a single preventable accident, they earn a Million Mile Safe Driving Award. Sam has earned the Three Million Mile designation. To Sam, being courteous is the most important task in maintaining both customer service and company goals. “The key is not to allow things or others to bother you,” Sam says. Over the years, Sam says that beneficial technology, such as cameras and adaptive cruise control, have been helpful to all drivers in preventing accidents.

• Second Place – Bill Nolan (Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.)

• Third Place – Barney (Conway) Penny (TransWood)

Trucking – Private Fleet

• First Place Winner – Keith Whyley (A&K Enns Trucking Ltd.): Keith has been driving 36 years with no accidents or tickets, winning the 10-Year Safety Award from Federated Cooperatives Limited (FCL) in 2017. For the past 15 years, Keith has been training new drivers for A&K Enns Trucking Ltd., and notes that his driving and coaching success is due to three simple things: “I like to treat others how I would like to be treated. I follow all rules and regulations put out by my company and take all training courses required to do my job."

• Second Place – Hector Vega (Vitalant)

Waste/Construction

• First Place Winner – Timothy Holmes (Manatt’s Inc.): Tim has been with Manatt’s Inc. for two years and driving for 15 years total. Out of 178 concrete delivery professionals, Tim placed in the Top 10 four out of the eight working months in their Lytx rewards program. In addition, Tim had no risky driving events in 10 months and was involved in two instances of exemplary defensive driving that helped prevent a serious accident. A volunteer fireman in two towns, Tim notes: “Ultimately, I want to get home to my family at the end of the day. To be honest, the way Manatt's has utilized Lytx has increased the odds of this happening for me, and for that I am grateful.”

• Second Place – Regina “Gina” Chacon (Waste Connections)

• Third Place – Roy Malfarina (Lambert’s Cable Splicing)

“Behind every successful professional driver is an equally talented and dedicated coach,” said Jeff Martin, Lytx’s VP of Global Sales Strategy. “As a former coach, I have a deep appreciation for the teamwork that goes into the driver and coach partnership. This year’s list of winners is representative of the incredible work being done by all transportation professionals who help increase safety on today’s roadways.”

In other recent news, Lytx solutions are available on multiple truck models, having been integrated into select Freightliner and Western Star models in late 2022. The company has been working toward global integration for its reusable user interface (UI) components, and introducing asset tracking to help complement its fleet management solutions.