Unroadworth truck claims challenged

Industry is raising some serious questions over claims that some 69% of trucks have failed random roadworthy tests over a period of five years. Several experts told FTW that while it was commendable that attempts were being made to determine the status of vehicles it was hardly scientific in its approach. Patrick O’Leary, editor and publisher of Fleetwatch, has on several occasions raised concern around the roadworthiness of vehicles. He says a programme randomly testing trucks over the past five years is still showing a 69% failure of vehicles. And, he says, he knows the industry doesn’t agree. “People in this industry argue and say these figures are wrong, but the fact remains 560 trucks have been tested and more than 300 of those failed the roadworthiness test.” Kevin Martin, CEO of Freightliner Transport and former chairman of the Durban Harbour Carriers’ Association, says while O’Leary and his work for the industry is commendable the wrong impression is being created. “I fully agree that the condition of the nation’s fleets leaves a lot to be desired and contributes to the unacceptably high truck accident rate, but a rate of 69% failure on trucks tested does not mean that 69% of all trucks are un-roadworthy and dangerous,” he told FTW. “Logic tells me that if this was the case then either our accident rate would be 69% of all trucks running or our drivers are exceptional to be driving these trucks without any brakes or lights. We know neither scenario is true.” Martin, like several other industry stalwarts, maintains that while there are many trucks on the road that should not be there the majority of operators are legal and run roadworthy fleets. “The main weapon we can use to rectify this unacceptable situation is consignee/consignor legislation,” he said, but is in agreement that these new laws have to be corrected before they will even begin to impact on the industry.”