UPS recently held an event to celebrate the expansion of UPS Road Code to Orlando. UPS Road Code is a safe driving class for teens taught by UPS volunteers at Boys & Girls Clubs across the United States. At this particular event, Ginny Odom, UPS’s safest female driver on the road, was onsite to share some words of wisdom with the teens. I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions of my own.

Q&A with UPS’s safest female driver – Ginny Odom

Q: Wow – 35 years and more than 3 million miles without an accident.  What have been the keys to your tremendous safety record?

A: Well that’s what UPS trains us to do – I’ve had a lot of practice! And I’ve been very fortunate. One of the keys for me is to take my time and remain focused on the job at hand. It has worked pretty well so far.

Q: We’re here today at one of the local Boys & Girls Clubs in Orlando to announce the next location of UPS Road Code, our safe driving program for teens. What is the most important driving tip you would give to these teenagers?

A: Put the phone down! There are more and more distractions today – we used to just have a radio. Now there are cell phones and iPods and there seems to be a greater temptation to use them while driving. Also, everyone – and I mean EVERYONE – should wear their seatbelt. I am surprised by the number of drivers I see out there – especially teens – who aren’t wearing seatbelts. 

Q: Why do you think UPS developed the Road Code program? Do you think it can really help?

A: I heard some statistics today about the number of teenagers who die each year in car accidents. And my own 35-years safe driving is evidence that we know a thing or two about safe driving at UPS. So, this is a great way to bring one of the things we do best into our communities and hopefully to save lives.

Q: Earlier I saw you checking out the driving simulator used in UPS Road Code – what did you think?

A: It’s nothing like the way I learned to drive – it looks like a video game! I can see why that makes it appealing to teenagers. The driving simulation seems very realistic.  And – I’d much rather have them face road hazards to test their knowledge and decision making skills…and make their driving mistakes behind a steering wheel that is connected to a computer rather than out on the road with the rest of us. It all comes back to safety!