FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATTCO Announces Driver of the Year and Safe Driver Awards
New Britain, CT, October 17, 2017: DATTCO, the largest Connecticut-based, passenger transportation company, is pleased to announce DATTCO’s Driver of the Year Awards and Safe Driver Awards. The Driver of the Year Award recognizes a driving professional who best represents the company’s long-held values of dedication, integrity, safety and superior service. The Safe Driver awards are presented to drivers who’ve gone at least one year without an accident. Representatives are chosen in each Coach & Tour division.
Among the Safe Driver recipients, two applicants are chosen for the ‘Otis Dames Award’ (named after Otis Dames, who drove for DATTCO for 40 years and had an exceptional safety record), and the ‘Contract Driver of the Year Award.’ This year’s awards were presented to outstanding motorcoach driver of the year, Steve Hills (Bridgeport) for ‘2017 Otis Dames Award.‘ The 2017 Contract Driver of the Year Award’ went to outstanding contract driver of the year, Dan Morin (New Britain)
To be chosen as Driver of the Year, a driver must demonstrate safe driving with the highest standards in every facet of the profession. “In addition, I feel a driver must possess extraordinary performance standards, including unparalleled driving skills and personal conduct,” added Colin Johnson, Vice President of DATTCO’s Coach & Tour Group. “Both drivers have achieved these laudable attributes during their time with DATTCO.”
Drivers of the Year are chosen based on several criteria, including:
- Accident-free driving in the preceding year and overall years of employment
- Leadership quality among peers
- Superior customer service to our clients
- Customer letters of commendation
- Exceptional personal conduct
- Years of service with DATTCO and the motorcoach industry
- Exemplary driving skills
- Excellent attendance and service to the DATTCO
- Complete adherence to company safety and operational policies, including textbook uniform representation and flexibility in assignments
- Contribution of suggestions and recommendations for improved service to our customers
Additionally, DATTCO presented 144 drivers with Safe Driver Awards. Five drivers were recognized for being accident free for a decade or more – Clayton Draughn, New Haven Shuttle (22 years), Scott Grant, New Britain Motorcoach (13 years), Michael Maino, Fairhaven/Randolph Motorcoach (13 years), Willistene Hills, Bridgeport Motorcoach (11 years), and Eduardo Mariano, Bridgeport Motorcoach (10 years).
“At DATTCO we are focused on safety and ask each of our employees to take the ‘Safety Starts with Me’ pledge,” explained Don DeVivo, President of DATTCO. “Commitment to this pledge is apparent by the number of accident-free drivers we are honoring this year. Their hard work and diligence positions DATTCO as a leader in the industry. Congratulations to each of these drives for well-deserved recognition.”
This announcement coincides with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver Week (observed October 15-21, 2017). CVSA – in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and law enforcement across the country – launched the Operation Safe Driver campaign in 2007 to reduce the number of deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving large trucks, buses, and cars.
About DATTCO
Established in 1924, DATTCO, Inc. is a third-generation family-owned business headquartered in New Britain, Connecticut. From its early roots as operator of three school buses, DATTCO now services more than 40 school districts throughout Connecticut. Today, DATTCO is New England’s top bus dealer and leader in vehicle service, including fleet, collision, and trailer repair services. Its motor coach division specializes in providing personal and group travel services and operates several routes for the discounted intercity bus service Megabus. Additionally, Thermo King Northeast, a dealer of Thermo King products and parts, is a subsidiary of DATTCO. For more information, visit DATTCO.com.
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