Companies urged to train commercial drivers

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mafikeng - North West Public Safety MEC, Howard Yawa, has appealed to companies in the transport industry to put their drivers through driver skills enhancement programmes.

He said commercial vehicles were not only affecting the country's roads system, but accidents involving trucks were generally more costly than those involving passenger cars with about 42 people losing their lives daily on local roads.

"Although commercial vehicle speeds are much lower than those of passenger cars, a truck involved in an accident will cause more damage," Mr Yawa said.

He said driver skills enhancement programmes would help change drivers negative behaviour through education.

Yawa further appealed to all road users to observe the rules of the road at all times to make the North West province and accident free province with responsible drivers.

In a bid to encourage safe driving, reduce road accidents involving buses and other commercial vehicles and enhance the driving skills of public driving permits holders, the department is holding the provincial Driver of the Year competition.

There are currently 45 professional drivers who have reached the final phase of the competition.

In its second year, the Driver of the Year competition attracts professional drivers from the public transport system to compete at distinct, provincial and then national level.

The national Driver of the Year competition is to be held in October in Limpopo.