RTMS-certified fleets provide some assurance to shippers

Self-regulation remains

the only sustainable way

of ensuring that trucks on

South Africa’s roads are

roadworthy, according to Dr

Paul Nordengen, research

group leader: network asset

management systems at the

CSIR Built Environment.

This after 30 unroadworthy

trucks were removed from the

roads in eThekwini last week.

The problem, an industry

source told FTW, was

compounded when subcontractors

were used.

And ascertaining when

transporters are following the

rules is not easy, according to

Nordengen.

“The regulations are law but

a large majority of trucks on

South African roads are simply

not compliant – and with law

enforcement at present not

having the resources or the

ability to really enforce the

regulations we are seeing large

numbers of unroadworthy

vehicles on our roads.”

It is estimated only about

5% of truck trips on the road

are involved in interactions

with law enforcers on a daily

basis while an estimated

60 to 70% of all trucks are

considered to be unroadworthy

in some form or other. This

figure is also not set in stone,

with some experts saying it

could be higher.

Nordengen said the best

approach in addressing this

situation was to self-govern

transport operations.

“The Road Transport

Management System (RTMS)

has made inroads, and while

we still have a long way to go, it

is yielding significant positive

results.”

A total of 226 fleets

comprising over 10 000

vehicles are now RTMScertified

in South Africa.

“These vehicles are proving

to be in far better

condition than

the average fleets

out on the roads.

The programme

requires fleet

owners to ensure

their vehicles

are roadworthy,

legally loaded

and comply with

speed limits

etc – while the

economic and

safety benefits of

well-maintained vehicles are

evident first hand.”

He said several case studies

had shown significant cost

savings on fuel and parts due

to better maintained vehicles.

“Programmes such as the

RTMS are at present probably

the best way we have of raising

the bar in the country,” he told

FTW.

It is therefore advised that

when appointing transporters

cargo owners look for RTMScertified

fleets.

INSERT

The regulations are law

but a large majority of

trucks on South African

roads are simply not

compliant.

– Dr Paul Nordengen