While the theme of the first of two panel discussions at this year’s TruckX conference and one-day exhibition, held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 9 July, was “role of IT, infrastructure and risk management in improving fleet operations”, the banter focused squarely on the Department of Transport’s proposed truck ban and the practical difficulties in the implementation thereof.

The panel included industry experts in insurance, vehicle tracking and fleet management, supply chain, financial services and asset finance. Panel coordinator Jeremy Maggs directed proceedings, which frequently returned to inadequate law enforcement, the increased costs of transport and logistics and driver training.

It was suggested that better self-regulation and adoption of RTMS, combined with improved vehicle monitoring technology could play a role in achieving the government and industries objective of reducing road accidents and fatalities. The panel recognised that reducing road accidents was the responsibility of everyone in the supply chain and blame should not be attributed to single aspects and players in the chain.

The second panel discussion focused on road safety and reducing fleet risks within the current economic climate while expanding into Africa.

Several commercial vehicle OEMs, trailer manufacturers, tracking companies, insurance companies and truck component suppliers displayed their wares on the exhibition floor, adding impetus to the occasion.

Comedic relief was provided by Alan Committie, perhaps best known for his “Defending the caveman” series of live standup comedy shows.