Pictured: Eugene Herbert, CEO of the RAC Group

Training tanker drivers to avoid roll-over accidents using a specially designed rig by MasterDrive Advanced Driver Training on behalf of Afrox has reached a significant milestone.

This one year anniversary is significant as it forms  part of an international strategy by  Afrox’s international parent company  who  approached MasterDrive, a division of the RAC Group three years ago with a request that a specialised training programme be devised that would  be compulsory for all drivers of Afrox tankers, as well as the contractors that the company uses.

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

“The cost of a roll-over accident is also very high, as the truck-tractor and specialised tanker bodies trailer are very expensive and often there is costly 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. Costs can be as high as  R30 million depending  on  various factors,  not the least of which  is Company Image – think Oil spillage and BP.”

The major thrust of the training is identifying to the drivers the factors that contribute to roll-over accidents and then methods of controlling the vehicle if it still ends up in a situation where a roll-over is a very real possibility.

The local programme, enjoys the support of Road Safety Partners MAN Truck & Bus, VW Commercial vehicles, TFM body builders, Voith, Goodyear tyres, Jost , Ulrich Seats and Knorr-Bremse braking systems.