Annette Womack, 54, has an impressive resume as a truck driver. The Howard County resident has driven more than 1.7 million accident-free miles over 30 years.

Womack added another accomplishment to her record this month when she was the first woman named the Maryland Motor Truck Association's Driver of the Year.

Womack, who drives for Giant Food Stores, has made what she calls a fulfilling career out of truck driving. She sleeps at home every night and travels around the world as a hobby; her next trip will take her to London.

“I do everything I want to do. … I've had a wonderful life,” Womack said.

But when she introduces herself to others, she leaves out her work until she is completely comfortable.

“People judge you,” Womack said. “I'm not ashamed. I just want [people] to like me for me. We all look on the outside before we look on the inside. That's why it's hard to be a truck driver.”

Womack first got behind the wheel of a truck when she was 24. A friend of her father's who owned a trucking company trained her.

One day, she saw a newspaper ad for truck drivers at Citco. Soon after, she was hauling gas to 7-Elevens through a driving job at Citco.

In 1995, when Womack joined Giant as a truck driver, “there weren't many women in the field. It was a great honor to do it,” she said. “It's becoming harder and harder for people who don't drive very well to stay in the industry.”

Jamie Miller, manager of public and community relations at Giant in Landover, said “we're incredibly proud of Annette. ... She is one of Giant's finest.”

Through outreach initiatives by Giant, Womack visited 10 schools last year to tell children about her experiences behind the wheel. She also started “Transportation News,” a communication tool that alerts Giant's transportation management to safety issues at stores and distribution centers. The tool allows drivers to submit photos and notes about needed improvements.

With her experience driving in some of the most congested areas of the state, Womack said she has found her “driving zone.”

“I control everything around me. ... I don't let anything beat [me] down,” said Womack. “That's just been my motto all these years.”

Womack said the advent of technology at drivers' fingertips and spikes in traffic volume have created dangerous driving situations. “People's habits have just gotten terrible behind the wheel,” she said.

Womack wants to pull up her truck and trailer to high school parking lots to advise students about safe driving habits.

“They need to be off their cellphones,” Womack said. “Don't talk on the phone. Just drive.”