DHL's top 15 couriers competed for the company's safest driver award in Dallas earlier this month in the second Safe-Driving Rodeo competition, the company announced.

The 15 finalists were chosen among 640 full- and part-time drivers who volunteered to participate in the test of defensive driving skills on Aug. 17. DHL used Geotab's GPS-based telematics system to monitor the competitors, who drove on freeways and city streets. Drivers also took a written exam and underwent a vehicle inspection.

Driving safety organization, Smith System, judged the competitors. The event was the follow-up to the initial safe-driving competition hosted in October.

"Rather than making this a one-day, one-off affair, our rodeo measures safety over an extended period of time, because at DHL, we view safety as an everyday event," said Cain Moodie, senior vice president of network operations for DHL Express. "By monitoring and assessing couriers' driving performances for nearly half a year through this competition, we are able to further commit ourselves to the safety of both our employees and the many communities where we conduct business."

Smith System's "5 Keys to Space Cushion Driving" figure prominently in the competition and include Aim High in Steering, Get the Big Picture, Keep Your Eyes Moving, Leave Yourself an Out, and Make Sure They See You.