Truck driver wellness and road safety basics key as high-season fatigue sets in

Cape Town - There is almost nothing around you right now that hasn’t been moved by a truck. Due to South Africa’s rail freight capacity constraints, 80% of all goods moved in and around South Africa are done so by road freight. Road freight keeps mines, factories, farms, and retailers running - contributing to South Africa’s GDP and supporting well over a million jobs.

But, because of this concentration, Anton Cornelissen, Head: Heavy Haulage at Santam, South Africa’s largest short term insurer, says that safety on South Africa’s roads is also increasingly at risk. A report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) cited more than 2,200 fatal truck crashes involving over 3,500 trucks over a five-year period.

“The situation becomes more tenuous over high-traffic periods such as the South African summer holidays between December and January,” says Cornelissen. “Holidaymakers are tired and rushing to get home, and roads are more congested than usual. Add to this the usual high volume of trucks, and the situation is fraught with risk,” says Cornelissen.

But, Cornelissen says there are steps both the freight industry, including truck drivers, as well as regular drivers, can take to reduce road risk for everyone’s safety.

Truck driver wellness critical for road safety as risk landscape intensifies

“Government’s long-term transport plan, which aims to move bulk commodities like coal back to rail, is a step in the right direction,” says Cornelissen. “Fewer heavy loads on the roads mean fewer accidents and less wear and tear. Many large operators and mines already contribute to maintaining the provincial   roads they use, and that really makes a difference.”

But off the main highways, Cornelissen says that conditions are tougher. “Many secondary roads were never designed for large trucks and lack basic infrastructure like truck stops and lighting - and that’s where many incidents occur. Add increasingly unpredictable weather, from Cape storms to KwaZulu-Natal floods and snowstorms, and the risk landscape becomes more complex every year.”

Cornelissen says that Santam and RTMC’s insights from years of Truck Driver Wellness initiatives consistently point to driver fatigue as one of the leading causes of road crash fatalities involving trucks “92% of participating drivers attributed fatigue as the major cause of truck accidents. Fatigue mixed with degrading road infrastructure is a lethal mix,” he says.

“Truck drivers work under uniquely physically demanding conditions, putting them at increased risk of both fatigue and a range of chronic health conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. Prioritising the health and wellness of truck drivers is not a nice-to-have but a business necessity for freight owners,” says Cornelissen. Aside from the drivers being invaluable, trucks can cost approximately R3.5-million to replace, and that’s without cargo costs factored in.

“Leaders need to make driver wellness a top-down commitment where the importance of physical and mental wellbeing is highlighted throughout the company. Implement a health and well-being policy that includes fatigue management. This means enforcing strict driving hours with consequences for shifts that stretch beyond these hours, flexible working hours (with cognisance of how long drivers have been away from their families), peer-led wellness programmes, ongoing education, and frequent nutrition and health checks,” says Cornelissen.

Sharing roads with trucks

While efforts are being made to alleviate road congestion through the opening up and privatization of rail networks, the reality is that our roads will likely be congested for a long time to come. “With this in mind, there are steps that road users and pedestrians can take to bolster safety when sharing roads with trucks,” says Cornelissen.

Firstly, he says that the basics of road safety awareness need to be practiced. “According to the RTMC, 34.8% of South African truck accidents that resulted in fatalities in 2023 involved pedestrians[i]. Poor lighting, insufficient pavements and pedestrian bridges are contributing factors but basic road safety also needs to be followed. Be aware when walking near busy roads, only use designated pedestrian crossings and avoid consuming alcohol,” says Cornelissen.

He adds that road users also have a role to play. “Aside from obeying all the basic road safety rules, it's important to be extra vigilant and patient on the roads during peak congestion period. Over-taking can be especially dangerous. Be patient and wait until road markings indicate it is safe to overtake, and then ensure oncoming traffic is clear. Take regular breaks to ensure you avoid fatigue,” advises Cornelissen.

If you are involved in a truck-related accident it's important to try to stay calm and get medical assistance as soon as possible. “The same goes for any car accident you are involved in as a driver. You need to stop your vehicle, assist anyone else who is injured by calling for medical assistance or assisting with CPR if you are able. You are also legally obligated to report the accident to the police immediately if anyone has been injured or killed,” says Cornelissen.

For police and insurance purposes, he adds that its crucial to record specific details such as where and when the accident took place, contact details and ID numbers of those involved and any witnesses, insurer details of the other vehicles, details of the vehicles involved and photographs if possible.

Safer roads together

We must continue to build safer roads, support healthier drivers, and strengthen the sector that drives our economy. At Santam, we share this vision with our government and industry partners.