Turners Driver of the Year 2018 – The Final results

2018 being the sixth year of Turners” Driver of the Year” competition drew to its conclusion on Saturday June 2nd with the Grand Final held at our Newmarket headquarters.

Over 850 drivers from seven operations started being assessed back in June 2017. To qualify for the Final each driver would need to achieve the highest standard in many areas of their profession.

Weekly driving performance, compliance with tachograph rules, safety in relation to zero accidents or incidents, adherence to Company policy and procedures, EU driver regulations, road signs and markings knowledge have all been measured through the three initial rounds prior to one representative from each the depots reaching the Final.

Our 7 Finalists

From left to right: Michal Bzorek – Crick Michal Kozielski – Exning Rod Blowers – Bicker Chris Sibthorpe - Spalding & Selby Ralph Church – Container Division Michal Sieg – Donington Robert Hume – Glasgow Our finalists faced four challenges on the day, each designed to test their driving skills, road knowledge, manoeuvring ability and daily safety procedures. The Road test: A local route was selected with all seven using the same DAF truck and trailer combination testing and measuring their individual miles per gallon achieved. The winner having the highest.

The Manoeuvring challenge: The aim each year is to present the Finalists with a manoeuvring challenge using a Truck combination none had experienced before. This year was no exception coupling a Mercedes Actros unit with our unique urban twin axle rear steer refrigerated trailer. To add to this challenge the trailer had a bucket and plastic glasses of water strategically placed on it. Ten second penalties were added for any water split, along with collisions of any bollards marking the outline of the course. Time was the deciding factor, so do they go quickly and risk penalties? or take it slow and steady?

The Road Sign and Markings exam: A forty five question test within a 40 minute allowance tested each driver’s knowledge of UK road sings, markings, restrictions and information signs they would see whilst travelling the roads of the UK.

The Circle check challenge:This challenge gave each Finalist thirty minutes to identify as many of the pre-set faults placed on a unit and trailer combination.

Once all seven drivers had completed each of the four challenges the scores and results were calculated.

And the Winner was...

Michal Sieg from Doningon

This was the third year Michal had reached the Final and his second at being crowned Turners Driver of the Year. This in itself demonstrates the incredibly high standards Michal consistently achieves every day whilst driving. The photo shows Michal receiving not only his Winners’ Cup but £2000 in Holiday vouchers.

Second and Third...

Chris Sibthorpe – Spalding & Selby Rod Blowers – Bicker

Thank you to our Sponsors, Chassis Cab Ltd (DAF Trucks) Orwell Trucks Ltd (Mercedes Trucks) Isotrak & Verilocation (Telematics provider) Smartdrive (Camera technology) who contributed towards all the prizes: Winner - £2000 Holiday vouchers + DAF & Mercedes Driver bags + Champagne Second - £750 Holiday vouchers + DAF & Mercedes Driver bags + Champagne Third - £500 Holiday vouchers + DAF & Mercedes Driver bags + Champagne Remaining Finalists - £250 Holiday vouchers + Driver bags and Champagne. Our congratulations go to all our finalists who have set the highest of standards, not only for this competition but in their day to day duties. Their levels of professionalism are an example to other drivers and the transport industry as a whole. Finally, I would like to thank all my Turners colleagues who have helped make the competition the success it is and in particular for the Final held on June 2nd. If you would like any further information on our competition, please do not hesitate to contact me, So until 2019...

Stephen Blackmore
Fuel Management and Driver Safety Programme Team.

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