Driver training can salvage reputation of transport sector

This is according to Toni Fritz, head of Vehicle and Asset Finance - Business at Standard Bank. With 16,000 road deaths annually (43 per day) and more than 100,000 cases of injuries, the South African economy often absorbs the impact. While the transport industry suffers the most, it is also accused of being part of the problem.

Driver training is one of the single biggest interventions that can salvage the tarnished reputation of the transport sector, which is currently seen as a high-risk industry due to the number of buses and trucks causing carnage on South African roads.

Fritz says there is no doubt that poorly developed and maintained driving skills in South Africa are at the heart of the problem. "There is a shortage of 3,000 drivers in the South African transport industry. It is a huge problem but a massive employment opportunity if done right."

Due to the shortage of skills, many transport operators take the credentials presented by new recruits on face value without adequate verification of their skills.

Staff shortages

Furthermore, a large portion of fleet managers do not have the capacity to take their drivers to training courses, and much needed vehicle familiarisation training before putting a driver behind the wheel, due to staff shortages. There is also the fear that skilled drivers will be poached by competitors.

"Whilst truck manufacturers as well as a handful of transport operators in South Africa have state-of-the-art driver training academies reinforced with driving simulators and even medical facilities, the number of graduates still falls short of industry needs," says Fritz.

On a positive note, there are signs that the transport industry may have started turning the corner. There seems to be a number of initiatives from the industry itself to do something about the skills crisis. Over and above various new training programmes, the industry is considering establishing an academy for professional drivers.

One of the most important industry responses to the crisis is the Road Management Transport System (RTMS), which has already been adopted by major players.

Abide by standards

Fritz says a fleet that can demonstrate that it abides by a full set of operating standards ranging from vehicle maintenance, prevention of overloading, driver wellness and training, can acquire RTMS certification. RTMS certification shows clients and the authorities that a fleet runs safely and efficiently.

"Driver training and development is one of four pillars of RTMS. An accredited fleet must implement an annual training plan and promote safe driving behaviour through mentoring, monitoring, counselling, awareness and education. Detailed records of these interventions must be kept and audited annually in order to qualify for RTMS certification."

Despite the fact that RTMS is currently a voluntary standard, Fritz says fleets are signing up fast, not least because of the significant efficiency savings that it brings.