Profiling the safety needs of the South African truck transportation sector

Abstract

The purpose of this mini-dissertation is to profile the safety needs of the South African truck transportation sector. This research draws both from a comprehensive literature study, as an empirical research project, that was done at Ukulala Truck Stop. Participants in the research were a sample of 166 truck drivers driving on the N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban. South Africa, as a developing country, relies heavily on road transport for the movement of freight and raw materials. Road fatalities in South Africa rank the worst out of 36 countries. The goal of this research was to assess the role played by Government, private haulage companies, and the truck drivers themselves from a safety perspective. Upon examination of these results, it became clear that most legislation is old, strategies are not always executed and followed up, and very little effort is spent on research and development. This research document draws attention to the significance of aggravating factors resulting in the occurrence of road accidents, such as driver fatigue, social- and emotional stressors, the lack of proper structure within the confines of Government, and the socio-economic effect long haul driving has on communities and families. It is the researcher's hope that this mini-dissertation will serve as a stepping stone for further research to be done on this subject.