Al Knopik is among the best when it comes to climbing behind a steering wheel and negotiating highways and byways, streets large and small.

The Buckley resident, a professional driver for more than 41 years, found himself in San Diego recently, being honored for his motoring skills. The National Safety Council presented Knopik with its Safe Driver of the Year award for the western area. Along with a congratulatory letter, Knopik received a personalized medallion and an etched crystal award.

Established in 2004, the award recognizes drivers throughout the country who have driven a significant number of miles, or spent a significant number of years, behind the wheel without incurring a preventable accident. Any member organization may nominate a driver believed to exemplify outstanding driving safety. Winners are judged on their driving record throughout their career, including the total number of years driven, total miles driven and total number of accidents.

Knopik is employed by the United States Postal Service and works out of Seattle, where he drives tractor-trailer rigs, along with seven- and 11-ton trucks. He hauls mail from various stations in the Seattle area to and from the Tukwila Processing and Distribution Center.

When it comes to offering advice, Knopik follows the practice-makes-perfect philosophy.

“Good driving practices produce good driving habits that result in good or safe driving,” he says. “Poor driving practices produce poor driving habits that result in poor or unsafe driving. The choice is yours.”