THE DEFINITIVE TRUCKING SITE

Nov/Dec 2009

FleetWatch has always contended that the authorities should place more emphasis on accident investigations so as to determine the cause of accidents rather than merely recording the number of accidents and deaths. In that way, operators can learn from the mistakes of others so as to avoid repeating them.

It is thus we were thrilled to hear that the three-day Accident Reporting and Investigation course introduced by Fleet Control Services earlier this year is being presented to the City of Cape Town Metro Police officers at their Pinelands Training Centre. The course is being presented by Guido Marchio and Jim Brooks.

A major objective of the course, according to Fleet Control Services’ Marchio, is to identify the real cause(s) of an accident so that remedial measures can be implemented to prevent a recurrence which is exactly what we need out there.

Included in the reporting procedures contained in the National Road Traffic Act is the procedure for controlling a site when a vehicle carrying Dangerous Goods is involved. The programme also includes sections dealing with:

• An introduction to heavy vehicle braking systems and legal requirements of vehicle braking systems;

• Road wheels and tyre maintenance and identifying causes of wheeland tyre-related failures;

• Investigating vehicle fires;

• Accident investigation on-site procedures.

It was some years ago that FleetWatch urged the authorities to go beyond the ‘body count’ and disseminate useful information that would prevent further bodies from being counted. Perchance someone was listening. Good one Cape Town. It’s the right way to go!