North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa on Friday attributed the significant reduction in accidents involving busses and heavy duty commercial vehicles in his province to advanced driving skills training offered to professional drivers. MEC Yawa reported that over 652 professional drivers from the private and public transport sector were trained by his department through the annual driver skills enhancement programme in the past three years.
Yawa in his address delivered on his behalf by the Director for Road Safety Management, Motshabi Molete said that the provincial initiative has also yielded positive spin-offs for many private companies.
“Money spent on proper training of drivers has proven to be a excellent return on investment to companies participating in the programme. It has resulted in reduced maintenance costs, improved productivity and fewer accidents” said Yawa.
He said that his department had noted that a large number of heavy motor vehicle accidents occurring on public roads warrants a continuous improvement of driver education and fitness initiatives, hence his department has joined forces with the private and public transport sector to invest money in road safety programmes and invest knowledge in people so that they can emerge with better skills and driver professionalism.
Yawa warned participating drivers against taking their eyes off the road while adjusting the music. He also cautioned them of bigger and riskier actions like trying to eat a meal in the driver seat, talking on cellphones or even sending text messages and even chatting with passengers can distract drivers from critical decision that may prevent nasty accidents.
He said that such risks cause unnecessary loss of lives cost the South African economy approximately R56 billion in 2008. The two days championship which has attracted 46 professional drivers who survived district eliminations from across the province ends on Saturday.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Fax: 018 381 9123
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
