South Africa’s SaferStops Association called for renewed industry-wide commitment to truck driver wellness and road safety at the 2025 Truck Driver Safety and Wellness Symposium.
More than 300 truck drivers, fleet operators, industry experts and government officials gathered at the two-day event in Boksburg recently as part of a groundbreaking public-private partnership to confront the challenges facing commercial drivers.
Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, delivering the keynote address, said driver wellness must be prioritised urgently as a cornerstone of road safety, since South Africa has one of the highest road fatality rates globally.
“We cannot address road safety without addressing driver wellness,” Hlengwa said.
“Our data shows that medical emergencies, fatigue and vision impairment contribute significantly to preventable accidents on our roads, costing the economy over R205 billion annually.”
According to the Road Accident Fund's (RAF) Driver Wellness Programme, one in three commercial drivers assessed during the programme, were medically unfit to drive, while two in three were obese or overweight, and 45% required spectacles.
The 2025 Symposium featured 15 specialised workshops covering a range of topics, from financial wellness and debt management to mental health, physical wellness, and safe driving practices.
SaferStops Association and the RAF led a series of discussions at the event titled 'Eat, Sleep, Drive, Repeat'; 'Managing Physical Wellness'; the 'National Truck Stop Framework Study’; and 'The Missing Link in Risk Management'.
Absa Workplace Banking representative, Solly Mabelane, highlighted the importance of financial wellness as part of overall driver wellbeing.
“Financial stress directly impacts driver performance and safety,” Mabelane said.
“Our commitment to financial education programmes for truck drivers addresses a critical but often overlooked aspect of wellness. A driver worried about debt is a distracted driver, and distraction costs lives."
Absa hosted a financial breakaway room that discussed managing debt, everyday banking and your banking rights.
Santam’s heavy haulage division reinforced its commitment to the cause.
“We recognise that truck drivers are the backbone of the trucking industry, and their work is physically demanding and unique,” said Anton Cornelissen, head of heavy haulage at the insurer.
“Our support for the Truck Driver Safety and Wellness Symposium aligns perfectly with our commitment to enhancing road safety, improving the industry's standing, and significantly bolstering the welfare of our truck drivers. We believe that a healthy and well-rested driver is a safe driver."
Santam and Sanlam presented three workshops including ‘Delivering Cargo Safely and Responsibly, ‘Mental Health & Resilience’ and ‘Living with Confidence by having a Valid Will and Testament’.
Participants had access to free medical assessments at the symposium, including optometry services and free spectacles for those requiring them.
SaferStops Association founder and CEO Nicci Scott-Anderson said the event had been well received by the industry.
“But we’re not stopping here. Our next step is to unite business managers, HR professionals, driver trainers and truck drivers to collaboratively address the challenges raised at the 2025 symposium. The time is now to move beyond discussion and take action to tackle these issues together,” she said.
