The search is on for Mpumalanga’s best driver who is expected to compete with other drivers nationally. In the past two weeks, the Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison commenced with the search in Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni Regions respectively for male and female drivers of heavy vehicles.
The Driver of the Year Competition (DOTY) is intended to enhance safe driving by road users, in particular heavy vehicle drivers. It is an annual contest run in various districts of the province and the winners from the districts compete provincially and end up competing for the best driver award nationally.
Ehlanzeni winners, Ms Dorris Malele and Mr Willy Mbuli from Buscor won the Female Bus Driver Category and the Male Bus Category respectively.
Mr ST Mdletshe from Sappi Forest outclassed the rest in the rigid category, while Mr A Silowe excelled on the rigid with four wheels category.
In the Articulated and 3.5 Ton delivery vehicle categories, Mr Patrick Mabuza from Coca Cola and Mr S Hlatshwayo from Public Works, Roads and Transport won respectively.
Speaking during the competition, the Department’s Road Safety Education Senior Manager, Ms Busi Nkuna said that in most of the accidents that happen in the province, heavy motor vehicles are involved.
She said that the competition was meant for encouraging heavy motor vehicle drivers to remember the road rules and to be informed about the changes of other road signs.
Nkuna added that the competition also trains drivers to be in control of their vehicles especially in hectic traffic situations and to know when to overtake as well as the distances to be maintained when following other vehicles.
“It is a responsibility of a driver to ensure that a motor vehicle is in a good condition before they undertake a trip; we therefore usually advise drivers to do a pre-trip inspection in order to avoid unnecessary break down that may cause accidents,” said Nkuna.
The competition had already taken place in the Gert Sibande Region and Ms TF Tshabalala and Mr JJ Mbonani from Mega Bus won the Female Bus category and the Male Bus category respectively.
Mr MP Dubazane from Public Works, Roads and Transport outclassed the rest in the rigid category, while Mr JT Nkosi from KIE Labour came trumps on the Rigid with four wheels category.
In the Articulated and 3.5 Ton delivery vehicle categories, Mr R Shambamuto from KEI Labour and Mr ME Nkosi from Transnet won respectively.
The competition will soon be conducted in Nkangala and Bohlabela Regions.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Source: Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison
