Truck drivers get tips on safe driving

Dubai - The best drivers put the importance of safety for the sake of their families and also the safety of other people

In line with the recent implementation of the amended Federal Traffic Law, a Dubai-based logistics company has shared some best practices on driving heavy vehicles. The tips are part of its CHEST (check every step) programme aimed at eliminating the 3Cs - carelessness, compromise and complacency - which often lead to accidents.
"As a major player in oil and gas logistics, we are conscious of the potential consequences of an incident, involving road tankers transporting flammable products, and we remain committed to sharing our experiences and international best practices to make the roads safer for all users in the UAE and across the GCC," said Eugene Mayne, CEO of Tristar Group, a fully integrated liquid (oil and gas) logistics company.
Foremost among safety tips is defensive driving. Hiring the best drivers means getting the best defensive drivers. These drivers put the importance of safety for the sake of their families and also the safety of other people while they are driving, Tristar noted.
Continuous learning is also important to ensure the culture of safety; therefore drivers should undergo regular trainings from an accredited driving school, the company added. "It is the moral obligation of companies to properly educate their drivers on road safety," noted Muhammad Akber, Tristar Group general manager for HSE, Quality and Sustainability.
Another best practice is implementing a 'stop work card', fully authorising drivers to refuse or to stop driving whenever they feel tired or unsafe to continue to drive.
Driver's performance and road behaviour should also be regularly monitored. This includes alerts for speeding, working hours monitoring, optimising fuel and tyre use, besides customer satisfaction.
Regular alcohol blow testing should also be carried out for every vehicle leaving the yard to ensure drivers are not driving under the influence of alcohol.
Tristar has also created a 'driver league system', a motivation mechanism rewarding safe and incident-free drivers based on their performance. Heavy-duty truck drivers and ground staff also meet to share best practices on road safety and to award the top performers.
Tristar added that aside from introducing inward and outward cameras, transportation companies should also introduce sensors to record details of the vehicle's load, weight distribution and centre of gravity to calculate its potential tipping point. This is particularly important at roundabouts or corners when the speed of the vehicle is excessive and any of the wheels start to leave the ground - a dashboard warning will thus enable the driver reduce speed in time.
angel@khaleejtimes.com