Dana Pickard. Photo courtesy of UPS.
A UPS driver who delivers to Lakewood was recognized for driving safely for the past 25 years.
Dana Pickard, who’s from Dallas, was named to the “circle of honor” at UPS. It’s reserved for drivers who have no avoidable accidents during a course of 25 years.
Nearly 1,500 drivers were inducted into to “circle of honor” this year.
Pickard has driven about 1.8 million miles since she joined UPS in 1984. Here’s a Q&A she did with UPS:
Favorite safety tip: Keep a space cushion on all four sides of your vehicle and always in front.
What brought you to UPS?
UPS opened the Mesquite building and sent letters to the homes of local college students offering part-time jobs with benefits.
What do you like best about your job?
Out on the open road you’ve got to be self-reliant and responsible. No one is looking over your shoulder; It’s a great feeling. I appreciate my co-workers and customers alike.
What are the biggest challenges of your job when it comes to driving on the road?
Honestly, it’s other drivers. You have to be the best driver out there and always be prepared for others to make mistakes.
What is the secret to your safety record?
As I said earlier, I always maintain a space cushion; It gives you time to recover or react and gives you options.
Close calls?
The most dangerous close call I’ve had happened on an icy road. The trailer came around, and I didn’t lose my cool. I focused on the methods and thankfully pulled it back in line. Never get in a hurry. The hardest thing to learn is to slow down and be methodical.
How do you feel about the Circle of Honor?
It’s an elite group, and it’s prestigious. Once you get there, you realize a lot of responsibility comes with having the patch on your sleeve to be a good example.
Final thought?
There’s no text that’s worth risking your life or someone else’s life. Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right. If you can’t focus on driving, pull over, and do what you need to do. Don’t put others at risk.
