It was a freezing morning and my main concern was whether all the cops would turn up or whether some would stay in their warm beds. I needn’t have worried. They all arrived wrapped in scarves, winter jackets and even blankets for the start of what was to be a highly successful two days of Brake & Tyre Watch training writes FleetWatch editor Patrick O’Leary.
Yes, it was on the go again, this time in Harrismith where, with the co-operation of Seitshiro Sam Motshabi, Control Provincial Inspector for the Free State, the Brake & Tyre Watch team were to train over 60 traffic officers on ‘things trucking’ – specifically on how to spot unroadworthy signs on trucks.
Many readers of FleetWatch will know of Brake & Tyre Watch. For those who don’t, the purpose of the training is to equip traffic officials with high value knowledge that allows them to do their jobs better. When out on the road, they have no equipment but, by using their eyes, ears, smell and touch – and the knowledge imparted by this training – they will be able to identify signs of unroadworthiness and if in any doubt as to compliance, can then get the rig to a test centre for full evaluation.
Although a FleetWatch Initiative, this whole exercise is made possible by the enthusiastic participation of our partners without whom this would be a dead duck. The expert knowledge of our partners, when combined, makes this a world class team that could add value anywhere in the world.
Road safety is not an easy sell when pegged around the concept of a solid ROI. However, these companies are not in it for the money. They are there with a genuine commitment to help towards savings lives via educating traffic officials and operators. We will never know how many lives have been saved through their efforts. What we do know is that over the years, lives have been saved. I salute each one of them.
The cold that greeted us all on the first day didn’t dampen the learning spirit during the theoretical training. The transfer of knowledge was interspersed with fun as prizes were handed out to delegates from each presenter. Knowledge empowerment was the name of the game.
The second day of practical training was a hive of activity as trucks were brought in from the road for inspection with teams of traffic officials being guided through the various inspection stations by our expert trainers.
While we long for the day when we will get 100% pass rate, this unfortunately, was not the day. Out of five trucks tested on the practical day, two were served with Discontinuation of Service notices, two were given various fines and one was in top-class condition. Kudus to that operator.
The real win, however, is that some 60 officers went away with far more knowledge than they had when they arrived and will now apply that knowledge in making our roads safer for all. As we always say: “If just one life is saved, it would all have been worthwhile”. Why? Well, that one life could be yours.
Below is a selection of photographs from the two-day event. Click on the photographs to enlarge. For the full event report, visit our eMag 88 on our website www.fleetwatch.co.za where it is available either as a PDF or a flip book download – whichever you prefer.
