Untrained truck drivers costing the economy billions
Driver fatigue is one of the greatest challenges faced by South African truck drivers.
South Africa’s roads are infamous for claiming many lives throughout the year with a notable increase over the festive season. The World Resources Institute has found that the country ranks 42nd in terms of road fatalities.
Arrive Alive figures suggest that 27,5 per cent of accidents on our roads are caused by trucks and light delivery vehicles. Truck accidents accounted for 4,8 per cent. Although relatively few in number, some truck accidents have made headlines because of the high number of fatalities that occur when a driver loses control of a large vehicle.
The direct cost to the economy was recently estimated at R306 billion, which includes the cost of clearing accident scenes, hospital care and police time. There are also the indirect costs of work hours lost, delayed delivery and damaged cargoes. This cost is materialising in higher vehicle insurance premiums charged by insurance companies.
Road freight remains the preferred method of transportation for many South African companies, because in comparison to the rail industry, road transport still offers better availability, reliability and cost efficiency.
“Heavy vehicles are therefore integral to efficient supply chains. Without them, the supply chain would be compromised as goods would not reach their markets timeously. Improving the safety record of this vital industry is clearly important. In essence, having trucks on the road will always be beneficial to the country’s economy. The large number of heavy vehicles on our roads thus makes it imperative that measures are put in place to reduce the number of accidents involving them,” said Arnoux Maré, Managing Director of Innovative Staffing Solutions.
While no single approach can improve truck driver competency, there are solutions to reducing the number of accidents involving commercial vehicles. This includes a combination of regular driver evaluation and corrective training, fleet technology monitoring systems and close management of driver schedules to prevent fatigue and negligence.
Driver fatigue is one of the greatest challenges faced by South African truck drivers. Many logistics firms struggle to fill their quota of drivers, which often forces managers to demand longer working hours from them, resulting in fatigue. It also means they cannot be taken off their shifts for necessary refresher training.
“Fatigue affects truck driver competency in various ways, from slowed reaction times to lack of concentration. This is why we are so adamant that our drivers take regular breaks and get the necessary rest when they are on long trips. Our truck-driver training therefore also includes the basics of safety regulations,” said Maré.
He concluded by saying that less fatigue and fewer accidents will result in a decline in delays, increased productivity and an improved bottom line.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.I
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister websites:
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
