88-year-old commercial driver keeps on truckin', and earning praise for it
At an age when many motorists are surrendering their car keys to their retirement-age kids, 88-year-old Dave Sheets is continuing his career as a commercial truck driver, and doing quite well at it.
Sheets, of Denver, has worked 25 years for Salt Lake City-area trucking company Savannah Transport, where his boss, company owner Terry Crawford, calls him a “terrific, old-school truck driver” who can "outdo" most of his younger drivers. Sheets delivers general cargo and even hazardous materials in West and Midwest states. He doesn't go to the coasts, but “I run a pretty good size territory and am busy all the time.”
On Wednesday, Sheets and his Peterbilt were in North Dakota, where they got checked out as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual International Roadcheck three-day inspection blitz, which was conducted nationwide this week. The North Dakota Highway Patrol troopers who conducted the check had this to say:
#NDHP troopers encounter professional drivers who are committed to safety. We commend Mr. Sheets who is 89 years old and keeps his 2000 Peterbilt in top condition. His dedication to safety earned him an @CVSA decal after an inspection yesterday during #InternationalRoadcheck. pic.twitter.com/LY4D7pwlsl — North Dakota Highway Patrol (@NDHighwayPatrol) May 5, 2021