Johannesburg-based RAC Group has embarked on a critical road transport safety initiative, using a specially designed rig to train tanker drivers to avoid roll-over accidents.

Initially the training will be for the drivers of the large Afrox fleet. Afrox will also train drivers employed by contractors who deliver Afrox products to customers, and therefore need to adhere to the uniform international Linde SHEQ standards.

“The frequency of roll-over accidents involving tankers in South Africa is, unfortunately, of a much higher frequency than most people realise,” explained the CEO of RAC Group, Eugene Herbert. “Usually the hazardous cargo can cause environmental damage, and is often flammable, as is the case with fuel and gas tankers’.

“The cost of a roll-over accident is excessive, as the truck-tractor and the specialised tanker equipment is expensive and invariably results in environmental damage to the road surface and surrounding areas. These accidents are usually high profile events with plenty of media coverage, which can harm the reputation and public image of the company involved too,” added Herbert. “Costs can be as high as R 30 million depending on various factors, not the least of which is company image – think of the Gulf oil spillage and BP”.

Afrox approached RAC two years ago with a request that a specialised training programme be devised that will be compulsory for all drivers of Afrox tankers and contractors’ drivers commissioned to deliver Afrox products.

The programme was developed under the auspices of TUV Rheinland, a German Certification Company, which has extensive experience with this type of training and is acknowledged as a global leader in the driver training sphere. Material has been adapted by the RAC team to suit the South African conditions. This training ranks amongst the best on offer at an international level.

The RAC team paid a fact-finding visit to the UK and the TUV Rheinland facility in Berlin to experience firsthand how this specialised training is conducted, resulting in select trainers undergoing an intensive 5 day training program.

The major thrust is identifying the factors that contribute to roll-over accidents, followed by the methods of driver control of the vehicle, should it still end up in a situation where a roll-over is a very real possibility.

The local programme, enjoys the support of MAN Truck & Bus, VW Commercial Vehicles, Knorr-Bremse, TFM Wynberg, Voith , Tirepoint and Goodyear, Jost, Geotab, BPW Axles and Ulrich Seats and consists of a full day’s training for 12 drivers, with at least 3, if not more trainers.

The day starts with a theoretical session where large scale models of trucks and tankers are used for practical demonstrations. The participants are divided into two groups of six for the practical exercises. One group undergoes training with the special MAN roll-over avoidance rig, fitted with “out-riggers”, while the second group uses a Volkswagen Double Cab Transporter, fitted with a tank to simulate liquid surge, and the impact this has on vehicle handling. These handling characteristics are emphasised by use of the Skid Monster equipment on the rear wheels, which provides real time learning experiences.

The second group learns about the dynamics of MAN modern Trucknology, ABS and its effect on stopping distance, as well as emergency lane changing under braking. The EBS, and Knorr Bremse TEBS, can then be switched off to demonstrate the impact of these safety features, particularly for an articulated vehicle. Every day driving circumstances, such as these, are often the cause of a rollover, even at slow speeds.

Drivers are also taken through and beyond the point of “rollover” in complete safety without the risk, damage or the cost.

Reaction times are critical and the drivers benefit from real time viewing “the action” in specially equipped cabs with on-board monitors.

RAC, through MasterDrive will initially focus on training Afrox drivers and contractors operating in SA, followed by the next step, which is to extend the training to other Afrox operations in Africa. This concentration on Afrox drivers will be followed by the training of tanker drivers of fuel companies, as this is another identified high risk group for roll-over accidents.

“It has taken some time to get all our specialised equipment in place and the team trained to international standards, but now we are in a position to provide an internationally certified training experience to the tanker segment of the transport industry, which we are confident will result in a marked drop in the number of roll-over accidents on our roads,” added CEO Eugene Herbert.