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There are no two ways about it: ‘accidents will happen’ and in truck transport, they’re all too frequent. Whether it’s on the road or in the yard, commercial vehicles are particularly risk-prone because they’re big and slow, operate within an unforgiving road traffic environment, clock serious mileage, carry heavy loads and suffer rapid wear and tear of safety critical components. Truck accident statistics are getting worse and transporters need to implement comprehensive safety and risk management procedures to save both lives and livelihoods. In this Special Interest Report, FleetWatch’s Paul Collings investigates ways and means to promote safer trucking.

Promoting road safety has always been a FleetWatch priority. Over the years, various initiatives have been executed to increase awareness about road safety issues, not only to transporters, but to other road users as well. Be it in conjunction with partners like Engen, SANRAL, Arrive Alive, Wabco or Bandag, the message is always the same – Think Safety First! Quantifying the ‘risk profile’ of a road transport vehicle is complex subject best left to actuaries and other risk management professionals. Getting a basic overall picture of the safety risk areas within a transport operation and implementing a safety programme is not that difficult. This report segments the operating environment into three strategic areas: management, drivers and vehicles. Each of these is a cornerstone forming a ‘safety triangle’ that exists within the broader road traffic sphere.

The question is, what must each of these cornerstones ’do’ to ensure safer trucking?

The answers lie on the following pages…