Fifty-three years and millions of accident-free driving miles later, Dupuis has been recognized as the SC&RA 2008 Driver of the Year.

What makes his driving record even more remarkable is the nature of loads he has been hauling for Anderson Trucking Service, Inc. (ATS), St. Cloud, Minn. After 16-1/2 years of trucking oversized machinery for Haupt Contract Carriers, Wausau, WI, he began taking on increasingly larger loads after that company was bought out by ATS.

When wind towers began to spring up throughout the countryside in the 21st century, ATS prepared to meet that challenge by purchasing special equipment capable of hauling loads up to 160 feet long and 200,000 pounds.

As one of the most experienced contracted ATS drivers, Dupuis was entrusted with hauling wind towers, blades and other large components. Today, he hauls little else.

Don DuPuis (Right) is recognized at a party at ATS in St. Cloud.
He is pictured with Mike Lackmann, ATS Specialized Operations Manager

"There are a lot of things that can go wrong when you're hauling those towers," says Dupuis. "About the time I started taking on these jobs, another driver told me, 'It's not if something bad is going to happen, it's when.'"

So far, after hauling hundreds of wind-tower loads, he has been able to prove his fellow driver wrong by maintaining an unblemished record with zero claims. Complicating his efforts is a driving public that seems to grow increasingly restless and reckless every year.

"People just seem more and more inconsiderate," he says. "They won't give you a break, especially the younger drivers. They don't teach them it takes a lot of road to make corners with big trucks. They'll drive down a ditch and cut around you and your escort because they can't wait a minute. They'll cut in front of you right before their exit. I don't think they know how close they are when they do that."

Although rising fuel prices have become the bane of the trucking industry, particularly for those hauling diesel-guzzling oversize/overweight loads, Dupuis actually sees a positive side. He believes the high cost of gasoline has thinned out traffic, removing from the highways many of the drivers who "are in a hurry with no place to go."

Regardless of congestion levels, routing, road conditions, size of the load and other variables that "make every day a different challenge," he always remains cautious. "Don't take chances" almost seems like his mantra.

"In this business, you always have to expect the unexpected," he says. "You know what you're going to do, but you don't know what the other guy is going to do."

He says truck drivers should not be afraid to "give a little bit, even if you're in the right of way." In the long run, the costs of taking an extra half hour to deliver the load is a minor inconvenience compared to the costs in time - not to mention the emotional, financial and physical toll - of an accident, he believes.

"You have to remember an accident goes against your record even if it's not your fault," says Dupuis.

He helps avoid accidents by keeping himself in shape, which helps him stay alert and cope with the rigors of life on the road. "I watch what I eat, don't drink much, don't smoke," he said. "That's got an awful lot to do with it."

Likewise, he keeps his truck in tip-top shape. Dupuis takes care of minor maintenance tasks such as greasing the truck, but he leaves the mechanical work to Wausau Truck Center, the Peterbilt dealership in Wisconsin. "Everybody there is good," he says. "I know they'll do it right. I've been dealing with them for years."

Dupuis also readily points out that he owes much of his success to ATS, which handles permitting and other essential logistics so he can concentrate on his driving. "Anderson is a very good company that treats drivers well," he says. "They really care about safety. The money is always good, and you always get paid without a hassle. If you break down somewhere and need money, they'll get it there right away."

He also appreciates that Anderson supports drivers' efforts to surround themselves with a good team and gives them the right to fire any escort personnel.

"I get the same escorts for a lot of jobs. I like that because I know what they're going to do and what to expect," says Dupuis. "I always tell them to let me know if there's something they don't like about what I do, and we'll talk about it."

Certainly, he does not hesitate to return the favor, but he always tries to remain calm while doing it. "When you yell at them, they're always on edge and worry they're going to make a mistake," he says. "If you talk about it, you almost always can make it work. It all comes down to respecting other people."

Don DuPuis (Center )receiving his award with
Gary Stang, Brent Anderson, Rollie Anderson and Dan Hilger

On July 25, 2007, Dupuis lost the most valuable member of his team when his wife Jacqueline passed away after 52 years of marriage. He gives her considerable credit for raising two girls and two boys "who never gave us any trouble" and for expertly handling the family finances.

Although he was never away more than a week to 10 days when his children were growing up, he began taking on longer assignments after they moved out of the home. Sometimes, Jacqueline would be by his side in the truck. One of his most memorable experiences was an extended job lasting over a month that took them to Alaska.

Having a job he enjoys has helped Dupuis recover from the loss of his wife. "I really like hauling specialized loads," he says. "That's why I stick with it."

Being recognized as the SC&RA Driver of the Year provides even more encouragement.

"I'm proud of my record and everything I've accomplished." he says. "I'm very honored that Anderson nominated me for the award."

This article first appeared in American Cranes & Transport magazine June, 2008 and was written by Terry White , and is reproduced by permission.