INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Motor Truck Association recently named Alan Ray Heath of Pendleton a Master Truck Driver.

Heath, pictured above (left) with Barry Miller, the association’s director of safety, is a truck driver for Transmark in Greensburg.

The association awards the professional certification of Master Truck Driver to drivers of commercial motor vehicles who meet high standards for educational achievement, professional conduct and accident-free driving, Miller wrote in a press release.

Heath has been driving trucks for more than 47 years and has spent the past 47 years driving for Transmark. During his driving career he has successfully navigated more than 2 million miles without an accident.

The Master Truck Driver Award qualifications include an accident-free driving record for one million miles or 10 years, no traffic citations within the past three years, and a record of community service or continuing professional education.

According to Miller, it’s estimated that fewer than 2 percent of the nation’s drivers will ever qualify for this award.

The truck association is a trade association serving the trucking industry in Indiana. It established the award to encourage drivers to strive for high standards in safe driving and professional conduct.