Southeastern Freight Lines recently recognized two of its drivers for their 50 years of safe driving.
Larry Spinks and Michael Crapps were honored during the company’s annual Safety and Service Awards. The two join pickup and delivery driver Malcolm Bryant as the only three Southeastern drivers to reach this threshold of safety in the company’s history.
“Out of the 3.5 million truck drivers on the road today, Larry and Michael have made the short list of drivers across the country who have successfully accomplished this rare milestone,” said Southeastern President Tobin Cassels. “They both not only embody Southeastern’s safety culture but through their years of hard work and dedication, serve as an example to the entire trucking industry on what it means to lead with safety in mind.
“We’re so proud to recognize both Larry and Michael as top performers in their field and thank them for their many years of quality service."
Spinks, a pickup and delivery driver at the Atlanta service center, started his career in trucking by pulling commissary loads with a tractor and trailer for the Army. He joined Southeastern’s pickup and delivery team at the age of 21 and has remained an advocate for the company’s mission to meet and exceed the needs of every customer.
“I'm grateful to work for a company like Southeastern which equips its drivers with the necessary tools and technology to perform their best while out on the road," said Spinks. "Most notably, I couldn’t have reached this milestone without my two biggest inspirations by my side – my daughters, Delaine and Crystal.”
Crapps, a linehaul driver at the Columbia, South Carolina service center, knew he wanted to pursue truck driving as a profession from the start. He joined the Southeastern team in 1973 as a pickup and delivery driver and transitioned into his current role in 1994. In 2010, Crapps was recognized as Southeastern’s Regional Linehaul Driver of the Year and was awarded Driver of the Month by the South Carolina Trucking Association in January 2012.
"Ever since jumping into my first truck over 50 years ago – which had no air conditioning – I’ve always made it a priority to trust in my skillset and be courteous to the other vehicles on the road,” said Crapps. “I’m honored to receive this recognition and hope it inspires others to carry out safe driving practices for years to come.”
Southeastern Freight Lines is a privately-owned regional less-than-truckload transportation services provider founded in 1950. It specializes in next-day service in the Southeast and Southwest and operates 89 service centers in 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
