PAUL DANGERFIELD, LAWRENCE MATAVIRE, WAYNE RAUTENBACH The campaign reminds us how important truck drivers are to the economy
Commercial vehicle insurance firm Regent’s Highway Heroes campaign recognises the skill required to safely and efficiently handle a freight vehicle on South Africa’s and Southern Africa’s testing roads, and has demonstrated the benefits of drivercentric initiatives to improve awareness and safe driving.
This is the view of campaign manager Paul Dangerfield, who adds that recognising exceptional drivers for a second consecutive year has heightened awareness of and reinforced pride in the truck-driving profession.
Highway Heroes is a campaign that highlights the challenges that truck drivers face, helping to create an environment of understanding and appreciation for their efforts. It also reminds all road users to drive safely and give trucks space, and that the roads, although busy, must be shared with patience, he says.
In 2016, 503 nominations were received and, after receiving telematics data and applying measurements, Regent selected the top 30 drivers. They are monitored for 45 days on manoeuvring, speed, harsh braking and night and day fatigue events, as well as total kilometres travelled. These events carry different weightings, depending on whether the driver falls under the long- or short-haul categories, Dangerfield explains.
The drivers were monitored by the Regent bureau using the vehicle tracking C-Track Solo device to ensure consistency of high-quality data for each finalist.
“Regent’s philosophy is drivercentric and we believe that such an approach improves driver behaviour and saves lives. Combined with advanced technology, this allows for control to be in the hands of the driver and a fleet owner, which leads to successful operation of the business and safety on the roads,” he says.
The campaign has helped to improve communication among logistics planners, drivers and fleet managers.
“A properly functioning relationship between a monitoring bureau, fleet controller and driver is essential. The finalists have good relationships with their fleet controllers.”
Regent clients have reacted with appreciation to the company’s commitment to recognise their drivers, create awareness on the roads, save lives and recognise the industry’s contribution to the economy, Dangerfield adds.
“The campaign reminds us how important the road freight industry, particularly truck drivers, is to the economy,” he adds.
Further detailing the impact of the initiative, he notes that drivers are motivated to compete within their companies to become the next Highway Hero; as a result, they focus on driving well all year round to qualify for nomination.
“The first request from drivers we receive as feedback on general road safety is for other drivers to give them space. It takes much longer for a large, fully laden combination truck to stop than most people realise. Beyond that, speed and fatigue end the most lives on our roads, and all drivers must adhere to the speed limit and rest when necessary,” concludes Dangerfield.
The 2016 Highway Hero is driver Lawrence Matavire, of Hellman Worldwide Logistics, based in Johannesburg, who won R75 000 in cash and prizes.
Matavire encouraged truck drivers to drive safely on the roads, not speed, follow the rules of the road and be mindful of others who share the road with them. He also encouraged drivers to work with their superiors as a team.