6 September 2007
Provincial Safety and Liaison MEC Thembalekaya Madikane will be announcing
and honouring the best Driver of the Year for 2007, at an award winning
ceremony in Kuruman, Kgalagadi this Saturday, 8 September 2007.
Fifty-three (53) participants will compete against each other from the
various regions. The categories for the competition are Bus, Rigid truck and
articulated truck.
Women driving buses and trucks will also participate in this important
competition, which is aimed at enhancing and improving driving skills of heavy
motor vehicle drivers while preventing and reducing the number of accidents
involving heavy motor vehicles in the country.
The competition's long term aim is to stimulate driver training in South
Africa and to improve the standard of heavy motor vehicle driving in a bid to
decrease road fatalities.
Many truck and bus companies in the country and in our province have already
experienced the fact that money spent on the proper training of drivers has
proved to be a very good investment.
Participation in this competition provides an ideal platform for the truck
and bus employer to compare, not only the abilities of his or her own drivers
with one another, but also with other drivers in the industry.
The competition will comprise of the following four tests which the drivers
will be evaluated on. However, it is important to note that they first need to
pass the alcohol test. Those who fail this test will be disqualified
immediately.
Pre-trip inspection
The test consists of a physical check and inspection of the vehicle to test
the driver's knowledge and habits regarding roadworthiness and safety.
Theory test
The assessment is conducted to test the driver's knowledge of the rules of
the road and of road signs. In case where the drivers cannot read and write an
oral test will be conducted.
Road test
The driver's attitude and ability to drive safely and correctly according to
the recognised defensive methods, as well as the correct handling of the
vehicle, will be evaluated during a short road test.
Truck test
The driver's ability to manoeuvre the heavy motor vehicle in a confined
space or through and around various obstacles and barriers will be put to
test.
Our province will have candidates in all categories and our team is well
prepared for all four evaluations.
This important event is held for the fifth year, where we celebrate the
efforts of our professional drivers and above all, where drivers reap the
fruits of their efforts through recognitions such as this one. We celebrate the
important role played by both truck and bus drivers to the economy of the
province and country which cannot pass unnoticed.
Our communities expect of you to deliver goods of high value and quality and
through your dedication, which you do so with distinction, efficiency and in a
reliable fashion. The fact that safety is your priority puts you far ahead of
the rest of us and this proves your commitment and dedication towards a better
and safe environment.
The Kgalagadi Region successfully managed to host two Drivers of the Year
Competitions this year, namely, its Regional Competition and now the Provincial
Driver of the Year.
We will also bestow honour on our women drivers who competed for the first
time in the Provincial Female Driver of the Year Competition. This is not to
discriminate and advantage women in any way but it is to afford women an
opportunity to compete among themselves and share experiences as women
drivers.
For the first time we managed to have eight (8) women participating in the
competition as compared to three (3) in the past.
This is an improvement but it is not enough. In any event, these competent
women also competed against men and we wish to extend our sincere
congratulations and excitement to you for choosing bus and truck driving as
your professions.
We are proud of them; as these women will compete against men during the
competition and show them that they are able to do what men can do and in some
instances even do it better and smarter.
We salute all the participants, who, without doubt and fear put themselves
forward to prove their technical skills commitment to safe driving. For you to
be able to reach this stage to compete at the provincial level and represent
your various regions say a lot about you, your knowledge, skills and attitude
towards other road users.
The drivers will be subjected to tests both practically and theoretically.
The competition is aimed at enhancing and improving driving skills of heavy
motor vehicle drivers while preventing and reducing the number of accidents
involving heavy motor vehicles in our country and provinces.
We are convinced that this will only be achieved through the co-operation
and skills of the heavy motor drivers both in our country as well as our
province.
Doty, as the competition is commonly known, serves as an incentive for the
business sector and organisations to invest in an advanced training of heavy
vehicle drivers. This competition goes as far as presenting a sound business
case of excellent return on investment as skilled drivers not only contribute
to the saving of human life but also to saving vehicle maintenance and fleet
management costs.
Enquiries:
Blessing Plaatje
Cell: 083 291 8450
Issued by: Department of Safety and Liaison, North West Provincial
Government
6 September 2007
