Azuga Names Safe Driving Award Recipients
In preparation for National Safety Month, Azuga, a global provider of connected vehicle and fleet technologies, announced its first Safe Driving Award recipients of 2017.
In preparation for National Safety Month, Azuga, a global provider of connected vehicle and fleet technologies, announced its first Safe Driving Award recipients of 2017.
These quarterly awards are part of the Azuga Fleet Safe Driving Awards program, designed to motivate and incentivize both fleet managers and fleet drivers who make safe driving a key part of their operation and culture. Winners of the prestigious award receive cash rewards, certificates and social media recognition for being top performers amongst a pool of more than 50,000 drivers and 5,000 fleet managers across the globe.
“Although June is officially National Safety Month, we believe that drivers should practice safe driving habits 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Ananth Rani, co-founder and CEO of Azuga. “Our quarterly awards program celebrates drivers and fleet managers that have been empowered by our social telematics solution, which combines driver visibility, gamification, and instant rewards for safe driving.”
Azuga is proud to announce the following top drivers and fleet managers from the first quarter of 2017:
Drivers:
Ernest Sutterfield, M. Lipsitz & Co. Ltd
Spencer Hughes, AWP Inc.
General Antwon Dickens, Satellites Unlimited
Brent Carter, Corix Utilities
Tony Edwards, Aero Communications Inc.
James Doughtery, Laury Heating Cooling LLC
Dean Capps, Galaxy 1 Marketing
Kurt Kremer, Barton Mallow Company
Fleet Managers:
Eric Sietsema, Sietsema Farms
Jon Sims, Satellites Unlimited
Angel Lopez, Unique Freight Transport
Sam Smith, Ralph Smith Co.
Denny Walker, Ko Olina Transporation
Jon Erickson, Soils & Structures, Inc.
Anton Dagner, Ambassador Limousine
Patrick Garland, LT Environmental, Inc.
Winning drivers and fleets are announced on a quarterly basis, and at the end of the year, one driver and one fleet manager are chosen as top drivers of the year. The Safe Driving Awards winners are determined by analyzing all drivers’ safety events (speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration, idling) using a proprietary algorithm developed by Azuga’s data science team.
Each individual safety component factors in the magnitude, duration, frequency and spatio-temporal index to determine the conditions under which the events occurred. Driver scores are visible to fleet managers and workers alike, and are an important tool for recognizing good driving behaviors and identifying areas where coaching is needed.
To learn more about how Azuga’s fleet customers incorporate safe driving into operations and culture, click here. Fleet drivers who would like tips and tricks on how to be a safer, more efficient driver should follow Azuga’s blog here.
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
More Safety

5 Safe Driving Tips for 4th of July
To ensure that this year’s fireworks remain in the sky and not on the roadway, follow these five easy steps to remain safe on the road this year – shared directly from a truck driver.
Read More →
NSC Marks 30 Years of National Safety Month, Includes Road Safety Focus
The Staying Safe on the Roads topic is one of four weekly focuses in June as the National Safety Council observes the 30th anniversary of National Safety Month. NSC also provides insights on the need for fleets to create a safety policy.
Read More →
Fleetworthy Integrates Lytx Video Snapshots to Improve Driver Coaching
Fleetworthy’s integration of Lytx video snapshots enables fleet managers to combine visual event evidence with Safety+ risk data, helping them make faster, more informed coaching decisions without leaving the Fleetworthy platform.
Read More →
Recalls You Need to Know About in June 2026
In June 2026, what recalls might impact your fleet? Work Truck has the answers in this comprehensive overview of recent NHTSA recalls.
Read More →
J. J. Keller Safety Professional of the Year Awards Nominations Now Open
J. J. Keller & Associates is accepting nominations for the 2026 J. J. Keller Safety Professional of the Year (SPOTY) Awards. Winners will receive prize packages valued at up to $47,200.
Read More →
ASE Aligns Automotive Service Professionals Month With Spring and Fall Vehicle Maintenance Campaigns
ASE will move Automotive Service Professionals Month to April and October beginning in 2026-2027, aligning recognition with Car Care Month events.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Driver Retention: Motive Automates Driver Coaching & Driver Rewards
New automated rewards and recognition capabilities from Motive can help organizations engage drivers, reinforce positive behavior, and reduce turnover. AI Coach has also been updated to deliver personalized feedback across safety, fuel, and compliance.
Read More →
Experts Forecast Broader Impact of Wildfires in 2026
This year’s wildfire season will likely be more intense than in 2025. The 2026 wildfire forecast from AccuWeather is for fewer fires, but even more acreage will be impacted this year.
Read More →
A Walkthrough of the DataQs Process
Bad data on your carrier record can cost you. Here’s how DataQs helps fleets challenge errors before they hit CSA scores, insurance, and your bottom line.
Read More →

