Penner driver named Canada’s driver of the year

WINNIPEG (March 18, 2002) — The Canadian Trucking Alliance has named Robert Ozouf, 55, a driver with Steinbach, Man.-based Penner International, the 2001 CTA/Volvo Trucks Canada National Driver of the Year. The award was presented to Ozouf today at the Manitoba Trucking Association’s 70th Annual Convention.

The award has been presented annually for the past 26 years to a Canadian professional transport driver who holds a collision-free driving record, demonstrates a high-level of professionalism both on an off the road, and demonstrates courtesy – and sometimes bravery – at roadside. This is the sixth time the national driver of the year has hailed from Manitoba since 1984.

Ozouf, a 32-year veteran of the highway, has driven an impressive 3 million plus collision-free kilometres during his career. He has also gone far above and beyond the call of duty on several occasions.

In 1990, while traveling on a highway outside of Steinbach late at night he spotted two house-trailers on fire. He brought his truck to a stop and banged on the trailers in an attempt to waken the residents. When this didn’t work, he started blowing the horn of a vehicle parked in front of one of the trailers. The occupants exited the trailer just in time.

In 1992, in Midland, Ont., Ozouf noticed a set of headlights glowing in the bush at the side of the road. Stopping his vehicle to investigate, Robert discovered that the headlights belonged to a van that had driven off the road and overturned. He managed to pull the injured driver from the van and stayed with him until help arrived on the scene.

The driver of the year receives a weekend for two at a Canadian destination of his choice, a trophy, and a $1000 cheque all courtesy of Volvo Trucks Canada.