Truck drivers seldom get the recognition they deserve and it is thus that FleetWatch is fully supportive of the Hollard Highway Heroes competition which has, as one of its many aims, to elevate the status of truck drivers.
Outside of this great initiative, it is an unfortunate reality that truck drivers are often incorrectly maligned by other road users. FleetWatch has come across many crash incidents involving a truck where automatic blame gets shoved onto the shoulders of the truck driver – without any facts being presented and without it being his fault at all.
We do, however, occasionally get to hear of a member of the public praising the actions of truck drivers – and that thrills us. Here is one such example. The story is told by a lady by the name of Ingrid Hope and was featured in the #imstaying project, another great initiative which is spreading uplifting stories from South Africans of all colours and from all walks of life. Here’s Ingrid’s story:
“I have a very short story about guardian angels on the road. I was travelling from Johannesburg to Durban one night and when I got to Van Reenen’s pass, it was very misty. I could hardly see anything in front of me so I took it slowly. It was late at night and I was on my own.
“As I drove down the hill, a huge truck came in front of me, slowing me down. He was also going down the hill. The next thing, two huge trucks came on either side of me. I was totally boxed in and continued driving with them as they took me down the hill. When it was safe, all the trucks moved back and let me go through. They hooted as I drove off and I hooted back. Every time I re-tell this story, I get goose bumps. I wish I knew who they were just to say thank you!
“This is the beautiful country we live in when people care enough to help each other. If you are a truck driver and you help others through difficult times, I salute you and I just want to say, I love you with all my heart!”
Not sure about you, but this really touched me. I too have seen how truck drivers look after the little ‘uns on the roads and they seldom get acknowledgement for this. Not sure if you’ve ever driven down Van Reenen’s Pass in the mist but I have – often – and it is scary. Visibility can be reduced to zilch and I can just imagine how nervous Ingrid was until those three Guardian Angels arrived to escort her safely down the pass.
To the three truck drivers who looked after Ingrid on that misty night, we too salute you.
