The 2016 Regent Insurance Highway Heroes (HH) campaign launch was held at the Urban Tree in Sandton last week.

A decade ago the company’s management team identified professional driver training as a key point of competitive advantage for both its business and that of its brokers. However, the cost of driver training presented a challenge.

“Typically, one would pay between R750 and R1 000, per driver, for an in-cab assessment and R3 500 per driver for a defensive driving course. Regent Risk Solutions now offers driver training, vehicle monitoring and a consulted bureau with added value benefits,” says Paul Dangerfield, Highway Heroes campaign manager at Regent Commercial Vehicles.

The HH campaign was born in 2014, stemming from the success of the company’s driver training initiative. “We want to change the perception that truck drivers are to blame for the carnage on our roads while demonstrating their contribution to the country’s economy,” explains Dangerfield.

Regent Insurance introduced its first ‘Driver of the Year’ competition in 2015, with prizes in excess of R100 000 awarded to the three finalists. The overall winner of the competition was Fairfield Longhaul driver, Themba Vilakazi.

A few changes have been made to this year’s competition, with the total prize value increased to more than R150 000. The competition is now also open to foreign nationals who are permanently employed in South Africa. Prize money has been increased, with the champion for 2016 set to drive away with R75 000 in cash and prizes.

Fleet operators are encouraged to nominate their best drivers to guarantee the future success of the campaign while showing the general public the value that drivers like Vilakazi bring to people’s lives.