While there may be very few people in the freight industry who agree with Transport Minister Dipuo Peters on the truck ban, Joe Public is increasingly agreeing with her, says Terry Bantock, executive chairman of Diesel Power Open Cast Mining. “We need to understand their reasoning if we want to strengthen our case against the proposal.” The general public has for some time been calling on the transport department to address the high number of trucks on the roads during peak hours. Several highprofile accidents involving trucks – including one in which Collins Chabane, minister of public service, was killed – have heightened negativity towards trucks. “The public feel that this legislation is needed because many believe that trucks cause accidents,” said Bantock. “And once this becomes legislated it will be near impossible to change.” According to Gavin Kelly, spokesman for the RFA, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the RFA and its members are going to have to work harder at gaining the trust and understanding of the public on the significant role trucking plays in the country. “Without trucks South Africa does stop. It is a message that we as an industry understand but we are going to have to ensure more of the general public understands the significant impact it will have on their lives when trucks are taken off the roads for six hours every day,” he said.
