ADDING HIS weight to the heavy vehicle overloading debate is Durban-based TLD Group m.d. Tim Driman - a recognised expert in trucking in general, and abnormals in
particular and former chairman of the Durban Harbour Carriers Association (now part of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders).
He makes an original point in his letter to the editor - commenting on the
fact that this overloading debate tends to target the road transport industry as the villains of the piece on road damage.
This might, he added, be an argument which only swings the spotlight away from who he feels may be the true offenders - the road builders.
I would like to point out that no person has yet made reference to the fact that the road in front of Durban's Deep-Sea Terminal as well as Bayhead Road (the main access to the terminal area) are probably the busiest roads in SA.
But they have shown no signs of wear-and-tear since they were constructed in the early Seventies!
If the amount of heavy traffic which has passed over that stretch of road for the past twenty years has not done any damage whatsoever, then I would like to know why have the media and the public not questioned the design structure and quality of the building of all the roads which are deteriorating around the country?
The N2 North and South are but two roads which are presently having to be reconstructed after only a couple of years. You cannot in your wildest dreams lay that blame at the door of the transport industry!
You are aware that these, and most of our roads today, have toll programmes. It would be interesting to question the fact that tolls have just generally been increased by up to 45% without warning.
What really bugs me
is that this perpetual sniping at the transporters by all and sundry is just too convenient!
Yes I am quite sure that there are unscrupulous and ignorant hauliers out there - but why don't they build the roads to withstand this 'abuse'?
It is common knowledge that the car manufacturers build vehicles for a limited life-span. So what makes you think that the roads in South Africa are not built with limited life-spans? Or better still, why is their quality of such a poor standard that the roads are not doing what the public expects from them? Makes you think?
I have no problem in challenging any of the road builders out there. Would they care to prove that their workmanship or designs are 'world class' or can we draw a conclusion that they have built what is 'required'? Whichever way you look at it, I am fed up with all the vilification of our industry. Let's have some reality for a change!
Copyright Now Media (Pty) Ltd
No article may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor
To respond to this article send your email to joyo@nowmedia.co.za
