Originally from Baghdad, Iraq, Salam Hameed came to the U.S. with his wife and children in 2014. With a new language, new culture, and a family to support, Sal worked different jobs until a friend suggested trucking. A decade later, Sal operates 12 semi-trucks out of Michigan and is one of the top earners in Amazon Relay’s safety rewards program. We sat down with Sal to talk about the success of LLZ Trucking (an acronym of his children’s names).
Tell us what kind of operation you run and how long you’ve been hauling loads for Amazon Relay.
Before Amazon, I used other load boards, staying on the road seven days to two weeks at a time. It was hard to plan, hard to grow, and hard to have a life outside of trucking.
I started hauling loads for Amazon Relay in 2024, and my life changed for the better. The loads are planned and systemized. I took the experience I built over the years and combined it with the consistency Amazon Relay offered. It helped me accomplish what I had been working toward for years. I had been doing all kinds of jobs—machine operator, restaurant work, bread delivery. I was working hard, but the money wasn’t enough to provide the life I wanted for my family. Now I’m home daily.
I didn’t really feel comfortable growing the business until I started hauling loads for Amazon. The consistency and organization gave me more confidence to grow.
“Even if I was still driving myself, I would choose Amazon Relay over other load boards because I can plan my schedule, be home every other day, and actually have a life.”
What do you do differently today than when you first started?
When I first started, I was focused on getting the job done. Over the years, I learned that being a professional driver is about patience, planning ahead, staying alert, and always putting safety first. At the end of the day, it’s not just about getting there on time. It’s about getting there safely.
I’d tell my younger self: slow down and don’t rush. The load will get there. Take safety seriously, because at the end of the day, getting home safe is what really matters. I always check my tires, lights, brakes, and air before I move. I also make a strong plan before every trip, including getting a good amount of sleep so I can avoid fatigue and distractions.
“Getting home safely means everything to me. At the end of the day, my wife, my kids, my family are waiting for me. No load and no schedule is more important than making it back home to them.”
Is there someone or something that makes getting home safely especially important to you?
I have a special memory with my youngest daughter. She had a little elephant toy, and I used to take it with me on the road. I would put it next to me on the passenger seat, take pictures of the elephant sleeping next to me, and sometimes put it on the hood of my truck and take pictures to send her, just to show her, “I’m always thinking about you.”
“When I started hauling loads for Amazon Relay, my life changed. Now I’m able to be home more and spend more time with my family.”
What did you discover once you started using dash cams?
Some of my drivers had privacy concerns at first, but once I shared the footage with them and showed them the benefits, they started understanding it too. The camera can make you a better driver. You’ll see speeding, hard braking, stop-sign events, following distance. The camera showed us things we thought we were doing right, but we weren’t.
The camera gives you something real to look at and use to coach your drivers. You can still drive safely without a dash cam, but the camera helps capture all the data and act on it to keep everyone accountable.
“Dash cams mean safety and improvement to me. It’s not about watching the driver. It’s a tool that helps me coach my drivers, coach myself, and become better and safer on the road.”
What difference has Motive’s dash cam made to the way you feel when you head out on the road?
It gives me peace of mind. I feel protected and more confident on the road. It protects my drivers and my business. It’s helped a lot with insurance and claims. With a dash cam, you have the footage to show exactly what happened and prove that you handled the situation professionally and weren’t at fault. My cameras are linked to my insurance provider. They have access to my camera data so I get lower rates.
Tell us about the Relay safety rewards program.
When you’re in the safety rewards program, you get paid per-mile bonuses for collision-free driving, so the more you haul, the more you earn. I use that money to cover camera subscriptions and other business expenses. It was super easy. One click, and three days later I was connected.
Amazon only collects confirmation that carriers are using the dash cams and information when a collision happens. They’re looking at collision and safe-mile data, not sitting there watching you drive.
To qualify for a free dash cam, Relay carriers can just check their Relay Rewards page. If you’re eligible, Amazon can help you get an approved camera installed. Take advantage of it! If you enroll in the program, you can get the dash cam for free from Motive or Netradyne, protect your business, protect your drivers, improve their driving skills, and get rewarded at the same time. It’s a win-win. Amazon also covers the subscription for a year*. If you already have an eligible dash cam, you can enroll right away.
“Amazon cares about safety and wants safe carriers who protect their drivers and everyone sharing the road. The safety rewards program is not just recognition. They’re rewarding us for doing the right thing.”
If you could give one piece of advice to a carrier just starting out, what would it be?
My advice is don’t take shortcuts. Don’t listen to people teaching you how to get around the rules or policies. Learn to do everything by the book, use a telematics system from day one, and be patient. You’re gonna make mistakes and learning the hard way can be expensive, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Ready to get started?
Sal’s story started with one decision: signing up. Amazon Relay gives you consistent loads, planned schedules, and the tools to build something that lasts. And with safety rewards, every collision-free mile you haul puts money back in your pocket.
Apply to haul with Amazon Relay and take the first step toward a more predictable, rewarding business.
Curious what you could earn? Use the safety rewards calculator below to see your potential earnings based on your fleet size and miles.
Amazon Relay safety rewards calculator
Calculate your company's potential collision-free mileage reward, up to 400,000 miles.
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*Relay safety rewards require active Relay carrier status, an eligible dash cam sharing limited collision data with Amazon, and at least 12,000 miles hauled with Relay per year. Disqualifying collision events will reset your mileage count and earning tier. If your company unenrolls from safety rewards or Relay, or stops meeting these requirements, and received a dash cam through the program, you may owe back some of the dash cam setup cost.
Disclaimer: Amazon does not tender loads through any third-party load boards. Any Amazon loads posted on third-party load boards will only be tendered directly to approved and onboarded carriers via the Relay web portal or Relay mobile app. If you are interested in hauling loads for Amazon, sign up and book directly on relay.amazon.com. For more about our efforts against fraud and cargo theft, see our trustworthy transportation page.
