A DESERVING WINNER

It's time to throw bouquets and it's a big congratulations to Philip Hull, boss-man of Community Medical Services, on winning the Road Safety Achievement of the Year Award presented annually by the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists' Committee for Active Road Safety (CARS).

This award, which bestows on the winner the Evert Van Niekerk Memorial Trophy, is considered the premier accolade for the furtherance of road safety in South Africa. It went to Hull in recognition of his ongoing, hands-on involvement in furthering the aim of safer road usage for all sectors of the community.

The citation - read by Ian Auret, chairman of CARS - stated: "Over a number of years, Philip Hull has provided sponsored - and often voluntary - paramedic service on the country's main routes during holiday periods. In addition, he has been a leader in highlighting road safety issues in off-road motor sport and has encouraged vehicle manufacturers and distributors to provide medical back-up at promotional events involving road usage."

Readers will recall that FleetWatch ran an article in our May edition telling of the excellent work Hull and team do for truckers and motorists. If you missed it, you can access the article from our web-site on www.fleetwatch.co.za. Click on 'Past Issues', then on 'May 2001' and you'll find it there. It's worth the read to see what these fine people do for you.

So it's hats off to Hull who deserves the recognition he has got via this award. Well done Phillip!

 

Phillip Hull (left) with chairman of CARS Ian Auret. "It's all about team work," says Hull. And so it is.

Six nominees were put forward for the award and FleetWatch was humbled and proud to be one of the nominees. My thanks to the FleetWatch team for all the effort they put behind the various road safety initiatives we get involved in. Without this team effort by people who really care, nothing would happen. And a big congratulations to the other nominees who received the following citations:

Petro Kruger, public relations manager of the Automobile Association.
For her total commitment to road safety through the supply of appropriate material to all branches of the media. She also serves on a number of road safety committees and is an organiser of the AA's biennial Project DAD (Drinking and Driving). 

Robin Scholtz of the Automobile Association.
For his contribution to road safety over an extensive period and his involvement in the DAD and Stay Alert Stay Alive campaigns. 

Lawrence Barit
For his dedication and outstanding inputs into road safety projects and his successful management of the Stay Alert Stay Alive programme. 

The Nedcare 911 team at the Sunninghill Hospital, Johannesburg.
For the highly professional and selfless service they provide the victims of road accidents. 

Patrick O'Leary, publisher of FleetWatch.
For his regular and tireless promotion of a wide spectrum of road safety issues and his personal involvement in road safety issues committees. 

CARS is made up of journalists from the print and electronic media and representatives from key organisations involved in road safety. Apart from nominating worthy contenders and selecting an annual winner of the award, the committee focuses on positively changing the attitude of road users towards safer motoring practices.

It's worthy work that they do and on behalf of the trucking industry, FleetWatch thanks them for never giving up on trying to make the roads safer for all of us.

 

One of the road safety initiatives FleetWatch embarked on in partnership with Engen and Arrive Alive was the Engen/Arrive Alive truck sticker campaign which saw 6 000 posters and strips with road safety messages being put on small, medium and large trucks around the country. One of the participating companies was Speedy Delivery Services which carried the message to other road users that 'Speed Kills'.