2011
Ina DalyDSR, UPH
Driver sales representative Ina always had a knack for driving, her father taught her to drive tractors on the family farm when she was young. After attending college with the goal of becoming an agricultural teacher, Ina’s career path headed in a much different direction.
“While in college, I worked in the office of a trucking company for my Dad’s friend,” said Ina. “When they needed someone to make pick-ups, I got behind the wheel and really enjoyed it. With more and more women getting into trucking, I was confident in my ability to do the job well.”
Ina credits maintaining a generous space cushion between other motorists as the key for helping her to remain accident free for so many years.
“Other drivers frequently make unsafe decisions around you,” she said. “The important thing to remember is that the way you react has the potential to either improve the situation, or make it worse. In just about any situation, the best thing you can do is slow down and ensure that you have maintained your safety margin.”
As Arizona Driver of the Year and a member of America’s Road Team, Ina traveled the country educating students in driver’s education course of ways that they can help to keep themselves, and others, safe as new members of the motoring public.
“My father achieved three million accident-free miles and he taught a lot of drivers, including myself,” Ina said. “He always said that the three most important things to remember as a driver are to be courteous, patient and always willing to slow down no matter how much of a rush you think you are in. I have tried to pass that advice on to as many young drivers as I can.”
For Ina, the best part of being a professional driver is seeing the picturesque towns and fantastic scenery that many people never have the opportunity to appreciate. Having reached two million miles of safe driving is the icing on the cake of the job she loves, and confirmation that she has been doing her job to the best of her ability.
A resident of Avondale, Ariz., Ina is based out of Con-way Freight’s Phoenix service center. She has a daughter, Alisa, and grandson, Evan. In her spare time, Ina enjoys spending time with the dogs and horses she has on her ranch. Known for her competitive streak, she is a veteran rodeo competitor and seven time winner of the Arizona Truck Driving Championships.
