The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has teamed up with Santam Heavy Haulage, Sanlam, Master Drive, and Fleetwatch to launch a road safety awareness campaign. The campaign aims to educate and equip truck and bus drivers with knowledge on how to prevent accidents and promote safer road conduct.
The Urgent Need to Address Truck and Bus Accidents
Trucks and buses are involved in numerous accidents in South Africa, often caused by human error such as speeding, fatigue, and unsafe overtaking. To address this issue, the RTMC and its partners have launched a campaign to create awareness around lethal offenses such as fatigue, distracted driving, dangerous driving, and impaired driving. The campaign aims to promote positive driver behavior and reduce the number of accidents involving trucks and buses.
The Collaborative Effort to Create a Safer Environment for Drivers
The campaign, which has been ongoing for six years, involves various stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies and the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI). The partnership between the RTMC and Santam is critical for spreading messages that encourage positive driver behavior. The aim is to raise awareness around truck driver wellness and its impact on road safety.
Addressing Drivers’ Physical Health and Vehicle Health
Drivers work under physically demanding conditions, increasing their risk of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Coupled with fatigue, these factors can negatively affect drivers’ reaction times, significantly increasing the risk of collisions. To address these concerns and reach a wider audience, the program will organize events in various locations across South Africa. Each event will focus on both the drivers’ physical health and vehicle health.
Providing Valuable Services for Drivers
A mobile clinic from the NBCRFLI will provide free medical examinations for truck drivers, assessing key indicators such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Law enforcement officers will be on-site to inspect trucks, ensuring they are roadworthy and not overloaded. The initiative also aims to expand the number of stakeholders providing valuable services like health checks for drivers at these events.
Upcoming Events
The campaign will organize events in various locations across South Africa. The first event is scheduled to commence on July 27th at the N4 Donkerhoek Traffic Control Centre. The subsequent events will take place on September 14th, 2023 at N4 Bapong and December 20th, 2023 at N3 Heidelberg.
Commitment to Creating a Safer Environment for Truck and Bus Drivers
The ongoing collaboration between RTMC, Santam, and other stakeholders demonstrates a commitment to creating a safer environment for truck and bus drivers, ultimately preventing accidents and protecting the lives of road users in South Africa.
