2009
Benjamin DixonDSR, NKX
For Benjamin Dixon, a driver sales representative at NKX in Knoxville, Tenn., it was never a question of if he would become a professional driver, but when. Dixon has truck driving in his blood. His father was a driver who took Dixon on the road with him, and he first got behind the wheel at age 6. All of his jobs have revolved around the trucking industry in one way or another, either working in the back of a truck or driving one.
Dixon has driven professionally for 32 years (the past 21 for Con-way Freight) and has reached the impressive milestone of driving two million miles accident-free. He began this remarkable stretch of safe driving on Jan. 18, 1988, his first day at Con-way, and reached his two-millionth mile on January 3, 2009.
He credits his impressive safety record to being attentive to not only his own driving, but that of the drivers he shares the road with. “You just have got to pay attention, that’s the main thing,” says Dixon. “Just pay attention and try to be aware of what’s around you.”
One of the bigger challenges Dixon has noticed while driving over the past decade has been an increase both in drivers on the road and aggressive driving. Dixon recommends, “Drive more defensively and pay attention as much as you can to the other drivers on the road, there seems to be more of them and they seem to be a lot more aggressive.” He also suggests that motorists keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them to allow for better reaction time, and not to cut in front of trucks.
When asked what he enjoys most about driving, Dixon replied, “The freedom of not being penned up inside and being out on the road. I like the idea that I don’t have to go inside a building with no windows and once you’re gone you are kind of your own boss because nobody can drive the truck but you.”
As a long-time Con-way Freight employee, Dixon says he stays at Con-way because, “I like the benefits and the pay, they’ve always treated me with respect and they’ve been real good to me. Driving for Con-way has been great for my family and my future.”
A resident of Seymour, Tenn., Dixon’s route takes him from Knoxville to Roanoke, Va. He has been married for 21 years to his wife, Debra, and has three children: Bethany, 34; Brittany, 31; and Mariah, 13. He also has three grandchildren: Mitch, 15; Kaeli, 14; and Mia, 3. His hobbies include woodworking and collecting coins.
