Love’s Rewards Inaugural Class of Gemini Safe Drivers

OKLAHOMA CITY — Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc.’s Gemini Motor Transport fuel-hauling fleet for the first time recognized 135 company drivers that remained accident-free and adhered to Gemini’s stringent safety policies and procedures for five years.

In all, more than $3.4 million in bonuses was paid to the inaugural class of Gemini Safe Driver Credits recipients.

“We developed the Gemini Safe Driver Credits program to become one of the safest hazmat carriers in the nation, and I think we’ve made great strides,” said Brent Bergevin, vice president of transportation for Gemini. “Our drivers average 3,000 hours behind the wheel each year. For 135 drivers over five years, that totals more than 2 million hours of safe driving. Our drivers’ dedication keeps them and everyone else on the road safe.”

Credits are awarded to drivers on an annual basis. To earn one credit, drivers must have no accidents, tickets or fuel-related incidents over the period of one year. They must also pass all U.S. Department of Transportation and Gemini inspections. Once drivers collect five credits, they’re eligible to receive a bonus.

According to Gemini, the program has helped keep its preventable accidents per 1 million miles to less than half the national average.

“Rewarding drivers for their safety-first mentality has tremendously helped with driver retention. Since implementing the safe driver credits in 2011, our turnover has dropped significantly and is extremely low for the industry,” said Bergevin.

Gemini has grown from six drivers and four trucks in 2001 to more than 900 drivers and 570 trucks currently. Each driver must complete hours of Gemini-specific training and education before they can begin driving. Drivers also attend quarterly safety meetings and adhere to the Gemini Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines designed to reduce chances of having any sort of incident while driving.

An additional 104 Gemini drivers are on track to receive their five-year payout in 2017. Gemini will pay out safe driver credits at 10 years beginning in 2021.

Oklahoma City-based Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. has more than 380 travel center locations in 40 states.