Copyright © 2001 FleetWatch magazine and FleetWatch On-Line.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission from the publishers. Views published are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Agree with views

Congratulations on your recent citation for your the sterling efforts in the trucking industry, as per your July edition.

Well done also on the Road Safety article entitled "Licensed to drive or kill?" As a helicopter pilot myself, I wholeheartedly agree with your views that it is training that would benefit the standard of driving in this country - not speed trapping.

As you quite rightly say in the closing paragraphs: "If speed killed, then all racing drivers and pilots would be dead"! It's also a bit like saying guns kill. "Hogwash," as Mr O'Leary would say.

Take a trip to England or Germany where traffic volumes and speeds are far higher than that of South Africa and you will witness a far higher standard of driving and as a result, a far lower accident rate. And while the above-mentioned countries do conduct speed monitoring and trapping exercises, it is not given anywhere near the same prevalence that it is in South Africa.

If all drivers were trained properly and licensed correctly, and if all vehicles were roadworthy and all such requirements were enforced rigorously by the traffic authorities, there would be no need for programmes such as 'Drive Alive' or 'Arrive Alive'. Methinks the traffic authorities make too much money out of speed trapping exercises to change their tactics!

On another issue, how many drivers do a 'walk-around' of their vehicle before driving off? As a pilot, you do not take off before you have done a pre-flight check. The same principals should apply for road vehicles. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next exciting, riveting edition!
Nick McConnell. 
The Kendal Group
Hubers (Pty) Ltd.

Editor's Comment: Wow! Now you've gone and got us all embarrassed with those extremely kind words - but thanks a ton for conveying them to us. With reference to your support for driver training, it's incredible how much effort is put into so many schemes to improve road safety and yet the one sure-fire method of bringing down our horrific accident rate, namely, driver training is so widely ignored. It's a definite in reducing the accident rate. It's a given - doesn't even need debate. We stand amazed.

Your comment

Thanks for the education
I started reading FleetWatch two months ago when I started working at a bulk haulage company as receptionist and I have been impressed more and more with each issue. 

The July-issue is extremely informative and it really opened my eyes to the dangers lurking out there - from worn-out tyres to worn-out drivers.

Thank you for the part you are playing in educating a total ignoramus - that's me - in the wonderful world of trucking. And Patrick, thank you for your brutal honesty. If only everyone had the guts to call a spade a spade, half of our problems would never even exist. 
Rochelle Opperman 
Worcester

Editor's Comment: Many thanks for those kind words. I was extremely pleased to see your letter was addressed to the 'editor and staff' of FleetWatch for it means you recognise the value of team effort. I have passed your letter on to each member of the FleetWatch team. I am also so glad to refer to this industry as the 'wonderful world of trucking' for it truly is a 'wonderful world' made up of wonderful people. Hey, it's got its problem but what the heck, doesn't every industry. Welcome to the industry Rochelle.

Your comment

Alive and well
Firstly, many thanks to you and your team for an excellent magazine. Being a subscriber, we enjoy the wide range of articles. Topping the list would be the special report on Road Safety in the July issue of FleetWatch.

The "old Luipaardsvlei Driver Training Centre" is alive and well and is still supplying a service to the trucking industry - albeit on a scaled down version as regards size but not compromising on aspects of set standards or content.

To set the record straight, the Driver Training Scheme, as it was known, did "close down" and two months later reopened on the same premises with the same telephone number as the Krugersdorp Driver Training Centre. It is now owned and manned by ex employees of the "scheme" with many years experience stemming from Jan Aukema's days.

You or any of your team are invited to pay us a visit and see that "life goes on". Once again thanks for a great magazine. And to school leavers we say: Forget about Hoek and Bok Streets next to Jimmy's. Rather call the 'Professionals'.
H de Koker
Krugersdorp Driver Training Centre cc.

Editor's Comment: Many thanks for the kind words of compliments on the magazine and what great news this is. However, I have a gripe. I forget which town it was to which he was referring but I recall my dad once saying: "In that town they don't bury the dead, they let them walk around." For years now we've thought the centre was dead - and yet you guys are still walking around. The point is: Why on earth haven't you let the market know you are still around? It goes back to a comment I made some years ago in FleetWatch that the driver training 'industry' has got to be among the country's worst marketers of their services - bar a few companies. FleetWatch stays pretty close to the industry and yet we have, for years, been under the impression that the centre had died. If you have a candle, don't hide it under a bush. Bring it out for all to see. It worked for Florence Nightingale! That said: We are thrilled the centre is still open and will definitely pay you a visit. Welcome back to the land of the living.

Your comment

Greatest problem is Operator Fitness
FleetWatch is always excellent and never misses with its thought provoking topical subjects. But the July 2001 edition was something else! Every scholar of transportation should keep this publication as a permanent reference to the sorry situation road transportation in South Africa finds itself today.

Your authors identify many pertinent problems but allow me to pinpoint what may be the most important single factor that contributes to our problems, namely, Operator Fitness - (the lack thereof?)

Stephanie Platt writes in her article on the Irish Road Haulage Association that: "Operators are required to obtain a Road Freight Carrier's license." She then adds: "To become a licensed haulier in Ireland, it is necessary to provide bank guarantees for approximately R32 000 and attend a course on Haulage Management."

Max Braun puts his finger on it with his comment that "the Department of Transport failed with the implementation of the Road Transport Quality System (RTQS)."

The initial dilution and final virtual abandonment of the "Operator Fitness" qualification has resulted in the fundamental difference between South Africa and Ireland. All the rest, that is membership of the appropriate representative associations, industry self discipline, synergy with the authorities and so on, follows. Perhaps not automatically but at least far more easily.

At present, the owner of a vehicle is deemed to be the operator. The simple process of filling in the Operator Application form (OP1) is considered too onerous or something. There are thousands of vehicle owners who have no idea of their duties in terms of Section 49 (Act 93 of 1996). Why should they?

Is there one sane person out there who doesn't believe there is a need for operators of commercial vehicles (over 3500 GVM) to meet some standard of expertise and responsibility?
Derek Moe
Moe & Company
Durban

Editor's Comment: Well said! Like you and Max Braun, FleetWatch can only sit back in absolute amazement at the fact that the RTQS was never implemented and is, in effect, a dead dog. That so vital a tool in ensuring high standards has been left to gather dust in the bottom drawer of some desk in the DoT's offices is a disgrace and, in our opinion, one of the DoT's greatest failures. And not pushing for the full implementation of the RTQS is, in our opinion, also one of the greatest failures of the Road Freight Association. An industry without standards is an industry without discipline. And just as kids without discipline become unruly, so too does an industry - as this one has become.

Your comment

Willing to render service
I am writing to you following a recent article I read in FleetWatch pertaining to the looming shortage of diesel mechanics.

I am a young Zimbabwean, aged 26, and underwent apprenticeship training in the trade of diesel plant fitting which I successfully completed last year in March. During my training, I covered on-highway trucks, off-highway trucks and earthmoving equipment.

I would be most grateful if you could assist me in identifying such companies plagued by this looming shortage as I am willing to render my service. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Elijah Hambwa
House No. 9698
New Mabvuku
P.O. New Mabvuku
Harare
Zimbabwe

Editor's Comment: If you don't put your line in the water, you won't catch a fish. Elijah has thrown his line into the South African pond via FleetWatch and if there is any company out there willing to take him on, please write to him direct at the address supplied or you can do so via FleetWatch and we'll pass it on. And please let us know the outcome.

Your comment