BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Foundation is recognizing outstanding contributions to trucking safety and professionalism through its annual Truck Safety Awards program.
Casey Driggers of Custom Transport was named Louisiana Safety Professional of the Year., while Charles James of New South Express received the Louisiana Professional Truck Driver of the Year award.
“Both honorees exemplify the highest standards of safety, professionalism and leadership, making significant contributions to their companies, the trucking industry and the motoring public,” LMTA said.
LMTA Foundation’s Truck Safety Awards
The awards were presented during the LMTA Foundation’s Truck Safety Awards ceremony. The ceremony was conducted in conjunction with the 2026 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships Awards ceremony, which celebrated Louisiana’s top professional truck drivers and industry safety achievements.
Louisiana Safety Professional of the Year: Casey Driggers
Driggers was selected as the 2026 Louisiana Safety Professional of the Year for his outstanding leadership in creating a strong culture of safety throughout his organization. Overseeing safety efforts across more than 20 million annual miles and nearly 300 employees, he has implemented effective training, accountability measures, and safety technologies that have produced measurable results.
“His commitment to driver development, open communication and collaboration with industry and enforcement partners has strengthened both company and public safety,” LMTA said. “His leadership and dedication make him a deserving recipient of this year’s award.”
Louisiana Professional Truck Driver of the Year: Charles James
“James was selected as the 2026 Louisiana Professional Truck Driver of the Year for his exceptional safety record and professionalism,” LMTA said. “Over the past seven years, he has logged approximately 700,000 accident-free miles while maintaining a spotless driving record, including no preventable crashes, moving violations or DOT-recordable incidents. Known for his reliability, positive attitude, and commitment to safety, James consistently demonstrates excellence behind the wheel while serving as a strong representative of the trucking industry. His dedication and professionalism make him a deserving recipient of this year’s award.”
Backbone of the Industry
“Safety professionals and professional drivers are the backbone of our industry,” said Renee Amar, executive director of the LMTA Foundation. “Casey and Charles represent the very best of Louisiana trucking through their commitment to safety, leadership, and service. Their dedication helps make our roads safer and strengthens the reputation of our industry every day.”
The LMTA Foundation also recognized two outstanding law enforcement officers for their commitment to highway safety and partnership with the trucking industry. To learn more about the 2026 Officers of the Year from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Police and Louisiana State Police, click here.
For additional information on the 2026 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships and a complete list of award winners, click here.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
