These drivers drive better than the average insured driver
Cape Town – Discovery and ChildSafe South Africa today recognised drivers who take part in the Safe Travel to School programme for their continued efforts in ensuring the safe transportation to and from school of children across Cape Town.
At an event attended by Discovery and ChildSafe representative, drivers were, based on their driver performance scores, rewarded with petrol vouchers, cash and there was also a brand new vehicle given to the best driver of 2016.
“The leading cause of childhood deaths in South Africa is motor vehicle crashes, which means that a lot of work has to be done to make sure this doesn’t continue. No child should ever get injured or die while making their way to and from school, it is unacceptable and we should make every effort to prevent this from happening. An aim of this programme is to make our roads safer for children. In partnership with ChildSafe, we are helping the drivers to know and change behaviours.” says Discovery Insure Founder and Executive Director, Themba Baloyi.
When comparing their driving behaviour with other Discovery Insure clients in Cape Town, the Safe Travel to School drivers had 87% fewer harsh accelerations, 92% fewer harsh cornering events, 25% fewer harsh braking events and sped 25% less.
This year’s Safe Travel to School winners were announced and William Lottering was rewarded as The Best Driver. When he heard his named called out, Lottering stood up and held his hands on his head with a look of disbelief on his face. The winner of a brand new Nissan Impendulo taxi, Lottering says, “It took a while to sink in that I was the winner. I’m thankful to God for what he has done in my life. I love these children and they love me. It’s my birthday tomorrow and this is the best birthday present, thank you Discovery.”
Also read: How well do your kids know the rules of the road?
ChildSafe South Africa project coordinator, Kay Jaffer, says, “The project has been a massive success and the plan now is to roll it out nationally. The drivers’ commitment to ensuring the children’s safety is something to really be proud of.”
Launched in 2014, the Safe Travel to School programme, a Discovery and ChildSafe South Africa initiative, is aimed at ensuring that children are not only taken to school in roadworthy vehicles but that drivers also transport them safely. The programme started with only 20 drivers and today has over 385 drivers dedicating themselves to be the safest drivers they can be.
“It’s sad because motor vehicle crashes are avoidable most times, so children don’t need to be dying on our roads,” says Professor Sebastian van As, Head of the Trauma Unit at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town and the Chairman of ChildSafe.
By focusing on the driver, the Safe Travel to School programme is developing cohorts of road-safety awareness, and of reliable and confident scholar transport drivers. When joining the programme, the following happens:
- Cars are checked for roadworthiness and DQ Track device is installed in the vehicle.
- Drivers go for eye tests and spectacles are provided if necessary
- Drivers receive first aid training and attend a defensive driving course
- Drivers are rewarded quarterly and given feedback on their driving.
Source: Discovery Insure