For Daggett Truck Line driver Jack Pate, 2017 was a year of achievements. In March, he was drawn for Daggett’s Highway Man of the Month with 12,493 miles (his fourth time). He surpassed three million accident-free miles driving for the company and celebrated his 20-year anniversary with them in September. After a nomination from Daggett, he was chosen as the Minnesota Trucking Association’s (MTA) July Truck Driver of the Month.

 

The award made him eligible for MTA’s Truck Driver of the Year, and during the organization’s annual safety convention and awards banquet in Minneapolis Jan.25, Pate learned he had beat out the other 11 contestants to win the title.

 

MTA’s Driver of the Year program was begun over 50 years ago to recognize commercial truck driving professionals who make the trucking industry a success through their dedication to safety. Exceptional drivers are nominated throughout the year by their companies and one driver is chosen each month to be the MTA Driver of the Month. 

 

Those chosen have to meet a high standard of requirements, including an outstanding driving and work record, contribution to industry and highway safety, and involvement in the community. Pate is the third Daggett driver to compete for the award over the past six years.

 

“This award is a great way to honor the best in our industry,” said MTA President John Hausladen. “Driving is no easy task, especially when you take into consideration daily driving conditions like congestion, driver distractions and Minnesota winters.”

 

“Jack’s superb attention to safety and professionalism is what makes his milestones great,” said Scott Boyer, director of safety at Daggett Truck Line. “We’re honored to have him on our team and truly thank him for the exemplary service he brings our company.”

 

Growing up, Pate wanted to be either a police officer or truck driver. After serving in the military he discovered his eyesight wasn’t good enough for law enforcement, so he decided to pursue professional truck driving.

 

He was hired and trained by Daggett Truck Line in Clearwater; he’d never even driven a truck before. Twenty years later he can’t imagine doing anything else.

 

Every Saturday morning Pate gets in his truck and heads east. Eighty percent of his runs are to Philadelphia; however, he’s driven all over, including Boston, Baltimore, New York and down to Virginia.

 

Fifty to fifty-two of his loads each year consist of bananas, which, he laughs, is fitting as he drives the only yellow truck in the entire Daggett Truck Line fleet. 

 

“Daggett is a good company with a lot to offer,” said Pate. “I’ve had the opportunity to bring my kids on trips with me, which has given us the chance to bond. Plus, how many kids can say they’ve been to Boston or New York?”

 

Although he enjoys truck driving there are every day challenges.

 

“Traffic and the way people drive around the truck are safety issues,” said Pate. “They just need to move away. If I blow a tire or the tread comes off they’re going to be surprised.”

 

The number of people on their phones is also a safety issue; he estimates close to half the people he sees every day are using them as they speed down the road. 

 

When his name was called as MTA’s Truck Driver of the Year Pate was totally shocked.

 

“I wish I could have been a fly on the wall while they were choosing,” he said. “You tend to judge yourself, and after watching the presentations on the other drivers I didn’t think I had a chance.”

 

Pate stressed the importance of people paying attention and staying aware of safety when they drive around trucks. He intends to continue his career as a professional truck driver with Daggett Truck Line.