Better education for drivers means fewer accidents
Redi Tlhabi’s show on 702 recently looked at the frequency of car crashes and the state of driving on South African roads, in comparison to international standards. Redi spoke to Veronique Feypell from the International Transport Forum who was sharing results from the International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (IRTAD) Road Safety Annual Report 2014. Countries like France and Switzerland saw a reduction of 10% in their road death fatalities. Feypell attributed this reduction to better education of their drivers.
According to Feypell, if more attention is paid to educating South African drivers, we too could see a reduction in road fatalities. Yet, how can we achieve this in a country where drivers seem to pay little heed to rules or authority? Coupled with a licensing system that is riddled with fraud, the importance of educating drivers has not been at the forefront of many minds. The answer might be in accredited driver training where companies have an opportunity to play their role by educating their drivers.
An organisation can send their drivers on remedial courses which reacquaint drivers with defensive driving or in some cases teach them for the first time. Your business will also benefit as it can be accredited as an organisation that is equipped to better facilitate integration of drivers, who may not be up to standard, into the workforce.
Organisations such as MasterDrive offer this accreditation as well provide employers with ‘cogniscience’ tests which measure various aspects of a drivers cognitive functioning and whether or not they are on par with required standards. These tests measure a driver’s visual special skill, reaction time and information processing speed.
“The driver’s appetite for danger and their behaviour in different situations is measured. The tests also provide brain screening. After certain health ailments, such as seizures, the law requires certification of that person’s capability to drive. This screening provides that proof,” says Eugene Herbert, the managing director of MasterDrive.
During the show Feypell mentioned that while it is important that the need for driver education comes from government, the effect will be even bigger if it comes from society as well. You can play your role by turning your organisation into an accredited organisation that provides driver education. The effects will extend beyond cost savings for your business but will have a larger implication on society as well.
You can contact MasterDrive on 011 867 4778.