Santam Heavy Haulage recognises the critical link between driver wellness and road safety. The challenge is: How can the trucking industry respond to the need for faster deliveries without compromising the wellness of its drivers?

Natalie Mpele, Relationship Manager at Santam Heavy Haulage, confirms that owners of smaller hauliers, in particular, are pushing for delivery results, which not only impacts the drivers themselves, but also all other road users.

“By far, the greatest threat on our roads is driver fatigue. This is not to say that all truck drivers suffer from this, but it affects everyone behind the wheel of a vehicle on our arterial routes,” says Mpele.

Collaborative efforts for safer roads Santam Heavy Haulage witnesses the often tragic consequences of a lack of driver wellbeing, which include the loss of life. 

That’s why Santam Heavy Haulage annually partners with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to promote greater awareness of truck driver fatigue and health issues that directly contribute to accidents.

This commitment stems from the conscience of Santam, a socially responsible insurer that values people above all else.

“The Driver Wellness Initiative aligns with Santam’s drive to encourage risk prevention behaviour,” says Mpele.

“This programme empathises with drivers who anonymously reveal their struggles or health conditions during testing at the voluntary RTMC roadside clinics.

“It’s not just fatigue, but also diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, largely resulting from insufficient physical exercise, lack of nutritious food, and less than six hours of sleep.”

A vital step for driver safety and sustainable operations. These reports effectively drive a change in the mindset of hauliers who are prioritising business over health. The RTMC presents their findings to truck owners, recommending ongoing wellness training and revised delivery schedules.

“However, this poses quite a challenge for owner-drivers and hauliers employing contract drivers,” says Mpele, highlighting that larger fleet operators regulate the health of their full-time drivers. 

“Unfortunately, financially constrained operators often place training and access to health and wellness campaigns on the back burner, and the cost of doing so is usually the loss of lives.”

The RTMC reported that out of the 10 611 fatalities on our roads, 29% were drivers, and 86% of all crashes resulted from human factors or errors. 

Santam Heavy Haulage insures 34% of this market and is actively pushing freight industry stakeholders to address not only wellness, but also driving skills.

“If we don’t work together to minimise driver threats and their health challenges, there is a danger that the risks could become uninsurable, which would have a devastating impact on families and businesses at large,” stresses Mpele.

“Santam Heavy Haulage is intent on changing this narrative through our collaboration with the RTMC. While we may never know with certainty if our efforts are saving lives, we believe that it takes a collective effort to reduce the risks and increase the number of people who could be saved through preventative actions.”

For more information about Santam Heavy Haulage insurance, please visit santam.co.za or contact your intermediary. 

Santam is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 3416), a licensed  non-life insurer and controlling company for its group companies.

“The Driver Wellness Initiative aligns with Santam’s drive to encourage risk prevention behaviour”