MENU
SEARCHDHL Express has begun its first Safe Driving Rodeo competition that puts 180 of its U.S. couriers to the test for 112 workdays to promote DHL’s safety culture by having drivers engage in friendly head-to-head competition.
DHL Express' drivers will be taking part in a Safe Driving Rodeo from April 4 to Sept. 30 operating in Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, similar to the European version shown here. Photo: DHL Express
DHL Express' drivers will be taking part in a Safe Driving Rodeo from April 4 to Sept. 30 operating in Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, similar to the European version shown here. Photo: DHL Express
DHL Express has begun its first Safe Driving Rodeo competition that puts 180 of its U.S. couriers to the test for 112 workdays to promote DHL’s safety culture by having drivers engage in friendly head-to-head competition.
Participation is completely voluntary, according to the company.
"The rodeo is a way for us to raise the bar even higher when it comes to safe driving throughout the company," said Fred Matthews, DHL's senior manager of safety. "Monitoring plays a major role, coaxing the 186 participating couriers to fine-tune their driving behaviors where needed, and in all kinds of driving conditions."
The participating drivers will be tested on how well they care for their company vehicles and their defensive driving skills based on the Smith System, through an evaluation by their supervisors during three safety test rides. Participants will also be given a 50-question written test that measures their safety knowledge, knowledge of the Smith System, and DHL’s safety culture. Each aspect of the competition is weighted. Contestants can earn a maximum of 1,000 points.
"The Safe-Driving Rodeo Competition is another way that DHL is moving the needle from safe to safest," said Mike Wagner, director of safety for DHL Express U.S. "The company with the safest drivers on the road is a winner every day, and we’re working every day to make that company DHL."
The DHL Express U.S. drivers in each of the company’s four operational regions who come closest to receiving a score of 1,000 will be named the safest driver for that area and will receive prizes, including a winner’s jacket and trophy.
The four area winners will then compete for the national prize in Arlington, Texas, where they will be put through a day-long evaluation of their skills by officials of the Smith System.
The completion will conclude on Sept. 30, and DHL officials hope that the Safe Driving Rodeo will grow in subsequent years.
DHL operates a fleet of approximately 3,100 vehicles. The vehicles that will be used in the competition are Mercedes-Benz Sprinters.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
