Technical Watch

 

Do we follow Europe?... Following the editor's challenge in the last edition for technical boffins to get involved in the issues of this industry, Paul van Heerden, GM, trailer products for Meritor Automotive, joins the air versus mechanical suspension debate and asks: 'Should South Africa introduce European-style Road Friendly Suspension Legislation to help save our roads?

A FleetWatch exclusive

 

Ireland - where truckers are loved... A visit to Ireland presented our Cape correspondent, Stephanie Platt, with the opportunity to visit the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA). The trucking industry in Ireland is widely recognised and appreciated for the vital role it plays in the economy of that country. The visit was an eye-opener in terms of how an association should and does work for its members.

Extreme Danger: Legal Minefields Ahead... The laws of the land are not delivering a better society so many are ignoring the laws. FleetWatch correspondent, Dave Scott, reckons there is a legal minefield of chaos out there urges operators not to walk away from the law but to get more involved with it.

Road Safety
a FleetWatch special feature

 

Two Key Inputs To Action... Given that road safety encompasses such a broad range of inputs, it is hard to focus on specifics. FleetWatch has, however, identified two prime contributors to this country's horrific road safety record.

Licensed to drive or to kill?... Training of truck, car and taxi drivers is in a sorry state in South Africa, probably the worst we have ever known it to be. And this despite the fact that driver training is internationally acknowledged as one of the most effective tools in reducing accidents rates. Dave Johnson, head of Masterdrive, puts forward some of his feelings - and frustrations - as food for thought.

Folly in the testing process... The testing of all motor vehicles was privatised some ten years ago. Has this proved to be a good or a bad move? Wally Cracknell, chairman of the United Roadworthy Association, examines the progress made and concludes that although there have been positive changes, there are unfortunately many negatives.

A safety record of note... What a pleasure it is to deviate from the usual mess of accidents, chemical spills, taxi carnage, unlicenced drivers, irresponsible operators, unroadworthy vehicles and other 'juk' to bring to our readers a report on a company which is steadily building a sound reputation as a top-class, safe haulier.

A most deserving winner... Philip Hull, head of Community Medical Services, has won the Road Safety Achievement of the Year Award presented annually by the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists' Committee for Active Road Safety (CARS).

Don't compromise on quality... Elsewhere in this road safety feature, statistics gathered by the United Roadworthy Association show that of all vehicles tested for roadworthiness nationally, 65% fail on brakes. This is quite amazing given the fact that brakes are classified as safety critical items on any vehicle.

ERF starts to roll... It's just 12 months since ERF Trucks SA picked up the pieces of the CTC debacle for ERF UK. Judging by the confidence of management and the magnificence of the new flagship products recently launched, ERF is again on the roll.

Nissan Diesel helps the railways... A new rail-road vehicle designed as a joint venture between Nissan Diesel, Spoornet and Viamax Fleet Solutions is set to save Spoornet a massive R300-million a year. But truckers needn't worry - Nissan Diesel hasn't crossed the line from trucking to rail.

McCarthy gets a big one.... McCarthy Truck Centre in Midrand last month landed a huge order which brought smiles to the faces of all - even in Germany.

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