Sixty Seconds with Certified Safe Driver Bill Killian

Tiffany Jones

Meet Bill Killian, District Manager for Progressive Waste in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Killian has worked in the waste industry for over 20 years and recently earned the Certified Safe Driver (CSD) credential, offered by the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA). NWRA developed the CSD credential to address the specialized needs of the industry, and the specific driving hazards its employees face daily. Someone who successfully passes the certification exam has a foundational knowledge of industry best practices in driver safety. Certified drivers demonstrate a base level knowledge proficiency in the elements of commercial driving, safety protocols, procedures, regulations, standards and performance.

Drivers, training managers and other safety professionals who earn the Certified Safe Driver credential know how to:

The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given 90 minutes to complete the exam. A passing score of 70 percent is needed to be recognized as a Certified Safe Driver.:

NWRA: Why is driver safety important to you?  
Bill Killian: Driver safety is very important to me. I can’t stress it enough to the people with whom I work every day. I respect the men and women in our industry so much; to me, their safety is of the utmost importance. I want them all to enjoy a long career in our industry, like I have.

NWRA: How did you prepare for the Certified Safe Driver (CSD) examination?
Bill Killian: My preparation for the test was basically my 20+years of experience, driving trucks and training drivers, and I passed on my first attempt.  I want all of our drivers at Progressive to take the CSD exam, and I would encourage all [hauling companies] to do the same for their drivers.

NWRA: How does it feel to be able to use the Certified Safe Driver (CSD) credentials after your name?

Bill Killian: I am proud of the credentials I’ve earned for passing the CSD exam.  It feels great to add these credentials to my name and my resume. It is a real plus.

We are excited to welcome Bill into our family of Certified Safe Drivers.

Tiffany Jones is the director of certification for the National Waste & Recycling Association. To learn more about the Certified Safe Driver certification, and how your drivers can earn this industry-specific credential, visit the Professional Development page of the NWRA website, or email us at [email protected].