In any discussion about safe driving, there’s no more valuable voice than that of million-milers – truck drivers who’ve driven one million accident-free miles or more. If you’re finding it difficult to wrap your head around what that means, consider that driving a million miles is equivalent to circling the Earth 40 times.

These truck drivers have routinely experienced all types of hazardous road conditions, threatening weather and unforeseen events like road closures along the way. Million-mile status is an incredible accomplishment that, on average, only one in 20 truck drivers will ever achieve. At XPO, hundreds of truck drivers gain this safety status each year, and they serve as an inspiration to our entire team.  

In 2022, 254 XPO drivers reached million-miler milestones, and several helped us put together a list of the top five road safety tips recommended by the best in the business. If you’re as concerned as they are to keep yourself and others safe on the road, check these out.  

1. Wear your seatbelt

This one tops the list because recent studies show around 10% of drivers still don’t buckle up. When driving is part of your daily routine, you unfortunately encounter a lot of dangerous situations and people on the road. To ensure you’re protected at all times, wear your seatbelt. Beyond the fact that it’s a legal requirement, this is a top means of defense against aggressive, impaired or distracted drivers.

2. Don’t rush

Million-mile truck drivers didn’t get there by speeding. While you may be eager to complete your trip as quickly as possible, obeying the speed limit is an essential safety practice.

When bad weather approaches, use common sense and reduce your speed. The same holds true when following other vehicles. It’s critical to always keep safe distances from other drivers to ensure you have enough time to react to any situation that may arise.  

3. Wait it out

Daily driving requires a firm understanding of your vehicle’s capabilities – and your own unique circumstances. Sometimes it’s best to postpone your trip when possible. Adverse weather conditions and traffic delays due to construction can create hazardous circumstances for drivers. When weather predictions call for excessive wind gusts, torrential rain, heavy snow or ice, it’s best to wait for things to calm down. And, of course, never drive when tired.

4. Be on the lookout

Drivers who’ve successfully driven a million miles are always on the lookout for potential hazards. And when you’re a million-miler, you’ve seen it all. From freak accidents to impaired drivers and challenging traffic conditions, the threat of danger never subsides. You need to constantly scan the road and stay alert to spot hazards in plenty of time to react.   

5. Use cruise control with caution

While most truck drivers acknowledge that cruise control is beneficial when the time is right, it’s definitely not recommended when driving in bad weather. If you’re faced with heavy rain or strong winds, it’s best to leave the cruise control off. Failure to do so could result in a loss of control.  

In 2022, XPO had 202 one-million milers, 41 two-million milers and 10 three-million milers – all without accidents – and we saw our very own David Frazier accomplish four million accident-free miles, the best driver safety record in the company’s history. We’re so proud of our dedicated team of drivers and all of the other XPO employees who keep our network running smoothly, and we’re incredibly grateful for their commitment to safety.  

If you’re considering a profession as a  truck driver, check out some of our recent articles about our driving schools. To get started, simply fill out this quick form and a member of our team will be in touch about driver school opportunities. You could be our next million-miler truck driver, and we encourage you to drive your career forward with XPO.