C.B. Montoya's career spans 58 years injury- and accident-free

C.B. "Candy" Montoya, Albuquerque, N.M., road driver, reached an almost-unheard-of milestone in January 2013: 4 million miles without a preventable accident—something achieved by only 48 of YRC Freight's 12,000-plus drivers.

That's a remarkable achievement, indeed, but there's more to the story.

Before joining YRC Freight in 1972, he drove for Shell and Chevron for 17 years with a perfect safety record, which means that Candy, 76 years old, has driven 58 years injury- and accident-free with an "unofficial" 6-million safe-driving miles. And he doesn't intend to stop any time soon because he still enjoys what he does.

Candy drives to Phoenix, Ariz., three days a week. Ask him the key to his success, and he makes it sound so simple: just keep out of other people's way. But that explanation belies the years of discipline and sound judgment he employs every time he drives.

"It didn't happen by accident," he said. "The good Lord has a lot to do with it, and I pay a lot of attention to the traffic around me. I do whatever I have to do to stay safe. 4 million is a lot of miles. Sometimes you have to back off a little."

C.B. Montoya was honored recently for 4 million miles of driving without a preventable accident.
Candy's advice for drivers is to always pay attention to the basics of safe driving, which boils down to having the right attitude, observing speed limits and minimizing risk.

"You have to be aware and keep a good distance from the car in front of you," he said. "You can't control the sides or rear, but you can control the front. The main thing is stay cool. Get good rest and be very observant. That's what you have to do to stay safe."