UPS Supports LaHood's Effort to Stop Distracted Driving

Washington, September 21, 2010

UPS (NYSE:UPS) is proud to stand with the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of policies that would effectively reduce the likelihood of serious, life-threatening injuries on the roads by discouraging distracted driving.

As the recognizable face of the world's largest package delivery and logistics company, UPS drivers travel more miles per day than almost anyone else on the road and the safety of those drivers and the general public is of the utmost importance. Distracted driving ranks among the most common and easily avoided mistakes a driver can make. Strong safety policies, prevention efforts and training can make the road safer.

"UPS is hardly a newcomer to safe-driving techniques and training and we do see this as a problem of increasing importance," said Allen Hill, senior vice president, Human Resources. "For more than 100 years, we have trained our employees to work safely so that they can reach their most important stop every day - home safely with their families."

Earlier this year, UPS implemented a ban within its organization on text and e-mail messaging while behind the wheel. The company is reviewing a policy now that would comprehensively address the use of cell phones and smart phones.

"By adopting distracted driving policies, businesses across the country are helping us protect tens of millions of more drivers and reduce preventable deaths and injuries," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "I want to thank UPS for leading by example and joining us in this critically important effort."

Putting a stop to distracted driving is just one of many safety initiatives in which UPS is currently engaged. Each year the company invests more than $53 million in training, totaling nearly 1.3 million hours of safety-related instruction. Remarkably, more than 4,700 current UPS drivers have been inducted into the prestigious "Circle of Honor," an award that recognizes 25 years or more of safe driving.

UPS also helps to train teen drivers in communities around the country: The UPS Road Code, a four-week teen safety course offered through the UPS Foundation at local Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country, utilizes the same world-class defensive driving methods that keep commerce moving. That sort of verifiable commitment is why the National Safety Council has honored UPS for demonstrating safety excellence.

"The Secretary is entirely right when he says, 'By working together, we will save lives,'" said Hill. "It is up to companies like UPS to help deliver on that promise."