Old Dominion trucker with 4.5 million miles named ATA Driver of the Year

Updated Apr 10, 2026
Don Carpenter: Driver of the Year award weinner
Don Carpenter: Driver of the Year award weinner

A trucker who has been driving professionally for 45 years and has loffed 4.5 million miles was recognized last week for his outstanding safety record.

The American Trucking Associations’ Safety Management Council last week recognized several outstanding fleets and industry leaders for their exceptional dedication to safety both on the road and in the workplace.

Don CarpenterDon CarpenterThe winners were recognized at ATA’s 2026 Safety, Security & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition Awards Banquet sponsored by Tenstreet. 

They include:

President’s Trophy - Sponsored by Great West Casualty Company 

  • Over 100 Million Miles – A. Duie Pyle, Inc.
  • Between 25 – 100 Million Miles – Red Classic
  • Under 25 Million Miles – Alaska West Express

2025 ATA National Driver of the Year - Sponsored by PrePass Safety Alliance

  • Don Carpenter, Old Dominion Freight Lines

2025 Excellence in Safety – Sponsored by Great West Casualty Company

  • Tennessee Trucking Association

“Safety and security in trucking are at the core of everything we do. They are what keep operations running smoothly and, even more important, protect every driver on the road,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. “The professionals in this space play a critical role in the industry’s success. For many, it becomes a long-term commitment to continuously improve standards and prevent risk. At the end of the day, their work goes beyond compliance. They are actively helping to save lives every time a truck travels our roadways.”

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