Associated Grocers’ Drivers Celebrate Two Years Accident-Free

Associated Grocers is celebrating its 76 drivers and their safe driving record that have recorded no lost work-time accidents for two years. The drivers undergo extensive training and safety seminars to prevent work-related accidents and injuries.

“We have never before achieved the two year safety mark for driving without a lost-time accident”, said Randy Fletcher, SVP of Wholesale Operations. “This is an extraordinary achievement that requires our drivers to be safe while driving everyday as well as when they are loading and unloading product at our retail locations.”

The most effective training the wholesaler provides are supervisor ride-alongs to provide job safety feedback on skills like hooking their trailers, pre- and post-trip inspections, vehicle operating and handling, shift patterns and interactions with customers and the public. The trucks also are equipped with on board tracking systems to identify unsafe driving habits, such as smoking and distracted driving.

More than 15 drivers have gone through AG’s Driver Certification Program in the last decade. The program provides an opportunity for career growth and advancement in the truck driving profession and includes in-house training, well-maintained delivery equipment and wellness awareness applications.

The company also provides a wellness program with health coaches, health fairs and sleep apnea testing.

AG distributes to 200 independent retailers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.