Trucking to Disaster?
Published |
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2009
Wed
24
Jun
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by Basil Mann
Shayela Approved (Pty) Ltd
During the past few months Shayela has been involved in learning more about the TETA training criteria which is supposed to earn credits for drivers and encourages companies to claim for the completed training, IESHHH. The scary criterion is the so called education qualification required by participants to accumulate the 25 or 35 credits claimable from TETA.
Our concern is that most TETA training organizations seem to be spending far too much time on theory and not in the truck or bus out on the road. We interviewed 25 drivers varying in age from 30 to 65 and 80% of them have never done any form of defensive driving and unfortunately most have had crash claims at some time. Here we have the companies’ survival hinging on a driver that is under serious stress to meet deadlines with deliveries in difficult off loading and collection areas. Added to a driver’s frustration is their lack of time and space management whilst conducting their duties.
When asked why they break speed limits and run red lights or miss stopping at stop signs, the unanimous answers were that they would be in trouble for not achieving targets. Strangely though, the drivers would still take leisurely lunches and “smoke breaks”. Few drove in the green band and fewer look far enough ahead to prevent sudden stopping. The concept of blind spot checks seemed to be a new revelation. The use of a handbrake during longish stops at intersections or traffic lights was not applied. In order to save fuel we recommended changing much quicker to a higher gear. Humans are creatures of habit – another dangerous habit is drivers who tend to go to the right hand lane far to early if turning right, causing other driver to maneuver aggressively past in the left hand lane, often “cutting” in front of heavy vehicles and busses.
We believe if we can concentrate on general road sense and discipline we can encourage drivers to change their attitude, thereby instilling a culture of safer driving standards for all.
As we say at Shayela:
”Your safety is our concern but your responsibility”
Drive with care and safe motoring!!!
Source: Shayela Approved (Pty) Ltd
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