Transport Minister to honour SA's best drivers

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Polokwane - Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele is to honour the country's best heavy vehicle drivers on Friday.

Some 127 drivers of heavy vehicles, ranging from buses to articulated trucks, have this week been battling it out in the national Driver of the Year competition at Polokwane International Airport in Limpopo.

"This competition is part of the many initiatives to reduce the carnage on our roads," said provincial roads and transport MEC Pinky Kekana at the launch earlier this week.

The event, which also forms part of Transport Month, targets professional drivers of heavy motor vehicles, teaching them the importance of safe driving and road safety in general.

The competition has seven categories, including one for female bus drivers.

The winners in the different categories will compete against the winners of the 2008 competition in the 'Best of the Best' competition intended to identify drivers who will represent South Africa at the world championships in The Netherlands next year.

"Road safety can be the only winner, as we need to refresh the skills of our professional drivers. The driver of the year project also equips participants with skills that benefit employers in terms of reduced fleet operations and maintenance costs and the public through safe driving skills," Kekana said.