(Warrenton, Missouri, November 8, 2011) – Cloyce Thrasher won this years’ Safe Driver Award for OATS in the Northeast Region. Each quarter an OATS driver goes without a preventable accident, they receive a bonus check along with the opportunity to have their name put on a list for a drawing at the end of the year. Drivers from each region receive up to four chances per year to have their name entered in the drawing. The more quarters the drivers stay safe, the more chances they have of winning. Winners are drawn at the Fall Drivers Meetings.
For more information about OATS, Inc., please visit their website www.oatstransit.org or contact Sheree Webb, Northeast Regional Director, 401 West Elm Street, PO Box 613, Shelbina, MO 63468, 573-588-2103, swebb@oatstransit.org.
The Northeast Region had their drawing last Friday, where Thrasher’s ticket was the winner. Thasher has been driving for OATS for approximately nine and a half years. “They give you a booklet with different prizes you can choose from, which is nice,” Thrasher says. The prize is a gift catalog valued at $200, and a few of the prizes include a vacuum cleaner, an iPod, a compact photo printer and a golf bag. Thrasher told his wife Brenda that she could make the final decision on which prize to choose, and she went with the vacuum cleaner.
“OATS is always looking for ways to keep our people safe, so as our world evolves, the way in which we promote safe driving will change as well,” OATS Safety Manager, Katie Kelly stated.
Currently, for each region OATS serves, they hold at least three drivers meetings per year concerning safety awareness. “The meetings are mandatory and include defensive driving and passenger assistance training, as well instruction concerning first-aid/blood borne pathogens, wheelchair securement and other topics related to safety,” Kelly says. In addition to these meetings, OATS also sends out a monthly newsletter promoting safety awareness.
Kelly believes that accidents happen when people become distracted and fail to focus on the task at hand. “Safety is about providing transportation without accident or injury to our passengers or ourselves.” She believes it is the foundation for OATS service.