I recently came across your magazine and found it extremely interesting and informative as I have been in the transport and driver industry for over 30 years. I refer to the article “Checking driver credentials is crucial to avoid theft” (FTW April 2010). It appears ludicrous that owners and managers of transport companies do not validate the driving and personal credentials of those entrusted with rigs worth perhaps millions of rands, never mind the loads they carry! Either these owners are totally ignorant, insane or simply have no idea of how to run a business. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to evaluate whether a person applying for a position as important as taking charge of a vehicle plus load, perhaps worth millions of rands, is actually capable and qualified to handle that vehicle. For a start, you need to check ID documents, place of residence, past employment, valid drivers’ licences and PrDp. Plus employing the services of a qualified post-driver’s licence instructor to assess the prospective employee before allowing such a person to control such an asset. of innocent people are placed in imminent danger should the driver of such a rig be incompetent. When is our South African transport industry going to take a stand and say enough is enough? We demand driver training and national standardisation. We have professionals in this industry in SA – it just appears that corporates feel they need not spend valued profits in this direction but rather hope they do not have to pick up the pieces afterwards and recompense the dependants of the deceeased.
