UPS to Recognize 2,700 of Its Drivers

    ATLANTA, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- More automobiles, trucks and recreational
vehicles will hit the road this summer increasing the likelihood of an
accident while vacationing.  According to a recent survey, more than 205
million person-trips will be taken this summer, an increase of 3 percent over
last year.
    As vacationers take to the road this Memorial Day weekend, UPS and its
more than 83,000 drivers are reminding everyone that in addition to wearing
your safety belt, there are five safe and simple driving tips to keep in mind
while driving this summer season.
    "Our drivers are among the best on the road and take great pride in
displaying safe driving habits," said Tom Walsh, UPS Corporate Health and
Safety Manager.  "Next month we will recognize nationally more than
2,700 drivers for safe driving records of 25 years or more.  The five
guidelines our drivers follow have become a way of life."

    The five driving tips are:
     1.  Aim high in steering:  Rather than staring directly over the hood
         of the car, look farther down the road.  This will give you more
         time to adjust to changing traffic conditions and keeps your
         vehicle centered in the road.
     2.  Get the big picture:  Stay back and see it all.  Knowing what's
         ahead, beside and behind you can help you make safe-driving
         decisions.
     3.  Keep your eyes moving:  Scan, don't stare; shift your eyes every
         few seconds and check your mirrors frequently.
     4.  Leave yourself an out:  Maintain a cushion of space on all four
         sides of your vehicle, especially in front of you.  Keep a
         four- to six-second interval between you and the traffic ahead.
     5.  Make sure other drivers see you:  Communicate in traffic.  Use
         turn signals, lights and the horn.  Establish eye-to-eye contact.

    On average, a UPS driver will travel more than 775,000 miles before
experiencing an accident.  According to National Safety Council statistics,
the average U.S. motorist will drive only about 130,000 miles before having an
accident.  This is a remarkable track record considering that UPS drivers
collectively log more than 2 billion miles on the nation's roads, equivalent
to 4,189 trips to the moon.
    "UPS and its employees are committed to safe driving and helping others
along the way," said Walsh.  "UPS spends tens of millions of dollars every
year teaching good driving habits through its rigorous safe driving program
that includes classroom and behind the wheel training."
      To kick off National Safety Month in June, UPS, a member of both
the National Safety Council and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety,
will recognize more than 2,700 employees for their safety records.  These
employees will be identified in a two-page USA Today acknowledgment for having
driven safely for 25 years or more.
    UPS is the largest package and document delivery company in the world,
serving more than 200 countries and territories and delivering more than
12 million packages every working day with an unmatched array of product
options and commitment to service.
    Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the company has 326,000 employees and
posted 1997 revenues of $22.5 billion.

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