2009
Jack WalkerDSR, XLU
The ability to always pay attention to his surroundings, including not only the vehicles immediately around him, but also off in the distance, is what DSR Jack Walker credits with helping him achieve two million accident-free miles.
“I spend a lot more time looking at what’s ahead of me rather than close by me; it gives me a lot more time to react,” said Jack. “I prepare for what’s coming up so I can adapt to the situation. I also don’t follow vehicles closely and if a vehicle is beside me, I let them pass me and I just stay in my comfort zone.”
Jack has worked for Con-way Freight for 24 years and has been driving professionally for three decades. He says it is the freedom of the open road that appeals to him.
“I like the peace of mind of being out here and nobody else being with me,” said Jack. “For example, I can listen to what ever radio station I want. It’s just me in the cab.”
When asked what advice he would give motorists to help them safely share the road with trucks, Jack answered, “You have to give trucks a lot of distance. Unless you have driven a truck, you don’t understand how much reaction time is needed. They can’t stop on a dime.”
Professional drivers certainly see their fair share of odd things while driving. When asked what the strangest thing is that he ever saw, Jack replied, “During the Indy 500 weekend, I actually saw a guy in the back of a pickup truck ‘skiing’ on the heels of his tennis shoes, holding on to the tailgate, with the vehicle moving at 65 mph. You could actually see the smoke coming off his shoes. It was ridiculous; I don’t know how he didn’t fall off.”
Jack is based out of Con-way Freight’s Louisville, Ky., service center and is a resident of Henryville, Ind. He has been married for 29 years to his wife, Patricia, and has three children: Lacey, 26; James, 21; and Jack 19; and two grandchildren: Lauren 8; and Andre, three months. His hobbies include hunting, boating and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
