Santam and RTMC partner to promote truck driver well-being and safety

The partnership has resulted in a campaign that on November 8 saw the two companies mount a road safety awareness event at the Machadodorp weighbridge. At the event, drivers were given Santam-branded cooler box with healthy lunch and snacks. They also received free medical examination from the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI). Their trucks were inspected by Law Enforcement Officials to ensure that they were roadworthy and not overloaded.

“Santam is the leading heavy haulage insurer in South Africa. In 2017, they received around 16 000 heavy haulage related claims totaling R470 million. This represented a significant increase in single-vehicle accidents due to a number of factors. Heavy commercial trucks are one of the most expensive assets retailing from R2, 5 million, not to mention the cargo they transport,” Anton Cornelissen Santam’s Head of Heavy Haulage, said.

“Of the 100 truck drivers we engaged with, we have found that sometimes not even 15 per cent of drivers we see in a day are 100 per cent healthy. Our partnership with RTMC aims to educate drivers about the dangers of fatigue and poor health on their ability to complete a journey safely.

He mentioned that fleet owners can install dashcams to help manage their trucks and drivers.  Dashcams not only promote safer driving as the driver is aware that their actions are being filmed, it is also a way drivers can communicate with operators in the office. In case of an accident, ¬having video footage is going to help a lot with proving whether a driver is or isn’t at fault.

He also encourage fleet managers to keep tabs on the well-being of their drivers.

“RTMC will further conduct roadblocks in high-hazard areas with the highest number of truck fatalities to encourage truck drivers and fleet owners to adopt the attitude of ‘delivering cargo safely and responsibly’ to help reduce the number of preventable truck fatalities. We want to appeal to fleet owners to prioritise road safety and ensure that their trucks are roadworthy at all times,” said RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane.

RTMC shared the following road safety tips with truck drivers:

• Drivers should always wear their safety belts.
• Fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. Make sure you take regular rests and do not drive when you are tired.
• We have found that truck drivers do not always lead healthy lifestyles. Make sure you eat healthily and exercise, like taking walks when you stop.
• Make sure you go for regular health checks, at least once every six months.
• Do not talk, text or play games on your cell phone while driving.

“The last three weeks we have seen horrible truck crushes that claimed innocent lives.  As RTMC we have embarked on road safety interventions to promote and strengthen the fight against road carnages by increasing visibility of  law enforcement officers. We understand that road safety won’t be achieved by government alone and we are very excited about the partnership with Santam.” said Advocate Makhosini Msibi, Chief Executive Officer.

For more information on any of Santam’s heavy haulage insurance solutions, please contact them telephonically on 011 912 8000 or via email at underwriting.transport@santam.co.za