Page 57 - Logistics News - September October 2023

N E WS

New SSA an audacious and bold response to

driver safety and wellness

THE SAFERSTOPS Association (SSA), an innovative
organisation dedicated to transforming the landscape for
commercial drivers in South Africa through comprehensive
safety and driver wellness initiatives, celebrated its official Nicci
launch in July 2023. In its early stages, this groundbreaking Scott-
public-private partnership has already gained significant traction, Anderson,
fuelled by a bold vision to create a more secure and supportive Founder
environment for all commercial drivers across the country. of CTA
and SSA,
“SaferStops emerged from the gender-diversity initiatives and Kas
facilitated by the Commercial Transport Academy (CTA),” Govender
explains Nicci Scott-Anderson, Founder of the CTA and SSA. of CTA.
“In the process of pinpointing obstacles preventing women
from embarking on long-haul trucking careers, we discerned prominent companies, government departments and leading
a profound shortage of truck stops addressing female drivers’ industry associations have forged partnerships with SaferStops,
unique requirements. Our investigation of truck stops along demonstrating their commitment to the cause. Notable
principal routes revealed widespread shortcomings in catering collaborators include Hollard, Ctrack, Engen, UD Trucks, Guud,
to the enduring physical and emotional well-being of drivers – Michelin, the Department of Transport, the Gauteng Department
irrespective of their gender. We also identified a pattern linking a of Roads and Transport as well as the Road Freight Association
multitude of road accidents to chronic fatigue. This exhaustion and the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and
isn’t merely linked to insufficient sleep, but is frequently tied Logistics Industry.
to poor nutrition, adrenal burnout, sleep apnea and lifestyle
diseases commonly affecting truck drivers.” Key activities
SaferStops has already initiated several projects aimed at
The groundbreaking SaferStops initiative is founded on five key improving driver well-being and safety. One such project
pillars: introduces healthy meal alternatives for commercial drivers at
• Health and wellness initiatives. Providing access to tailored truck stops. Additionally, the focus extends to exercise facilities,
resources and support for maintaining physical, emotional and with plans to provide drivers with access to on-site gyms,
mental health. allowing them to break the routine of spending up to 12 hours in
• Improving truck stops infrastructure. Setting an industry a truck.
benchmark for the standardisation of truck stop facilities and
infrastructure, creating a space for drivers to rejuvenate. Mental health is another priority for SaferStops. “We now
• Education and development. Offering opportunities for training know that depression is one of the leading problems that truck
to move from the class and into the cab as drivers use new drivers suffer from, particularly with the time they spend alone.
technologies to enhance their skills and knowledge. Mental, physical and emotional health are all key and we will
• Research and data collection. Conducting research on truck be looking to address all of these requirements,” says Scott-
driver welfare, working conditions and industry trends to inform Anderson. Moreover, there is a dire need to provide drivers with
policies and programmes. Wi-Fi access and entertainment facilities at truck stops to enable
• Public awareness campaigns. The launching of campaigns them to rest and recuperate en route.
to increase awareness of the challenges that truck drivers
encounter daily. To empower drivers with valuable skills and new
qualifications, SaferStops is actively developing easily accessible
Collaboration for success and user-friendly education and learning materials. These
The SaferStops initiative has received pivotal support from the resources will be designed to be readily accessible and easily
US Agency for International Development (USAID), providing vital digestible, ensuring that drivers can conveniently enhance their
seed funding and unwavering support. Additionally, numerous knowledge and acquire new qualifications. •

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