When heavy vehicles are involved in an accident, the damage is greater, and more lives are potentially at risk. The number of accidents involving heavy vehicles decreased to 687 in 2019 from 776 in 2018. Besides heavy vehicle drivers, the fleet owners and companies can play a key part to ensure the safety of their drivers and other road users. Like Mindful Seng, let’s all be mindful in building a culture of safe road behaviour together. Here is how you can achieve this.
As a Heavy Vehicle Driver
It’s all about using your RoadSense:
- Rest well and stop driving when feeling tired
- Observe and look out for vulnerable road users. Never use handheld devices while driving
- Avoid tailgating and keep a safe distance with the vehicle in front
- Do not road hog. Always keep to the left and travel on the slow-moving lane
- Stay alert and drive with care. Always check your blind spots
- Ensure proper maintenance of the vehicle to prevent spills
- Never drink and drive
- Speeding kills. Always drive below the road speed limit or vehicle speed limit, whichever is lower
- Ensure the serviceability of your vehicle by performing regular pre-drive checks
As a Heavy Vehicle Fleet Owner and Company
- Use education to heighten your drivers’ road safety awareness by conducting regular road safety talks. This reminds and encourages drivers to continuously exhibit safe driving behaviours and practise good RoadSense. After all, employees who use their RoadSense, will be good business sense for you!
- Use Incentives. Many companies have implemented incentives to recognise safe driving and to promote a safe work culture. Incentives may not have to be monetary and they can be letters of commendation or plaques for employees who observe the rules.
Singapore Road Safety Award
The Singapore Road Safety Award (SRSA) is an annual award that recognises organisations that have significantly contributed to the promotion of road safety and gracious road use behaviours within their companies. In 2019, there were two award categories, namely, Company Award and Safe Driver Award.
For more information on the award details, do visit the Singapore Road Safety Council website.
As a Community
Road safety initiatives raise awareness on the importance of recognising the unique danger elements faced by heavy vehicle drivers. Read on to find out the community initiatives that your organisation can participate in to promote road safety for drivers of heavy vehicles.
Blindspot Stickers
Recognising that road users might not be as familiar with the blind spots of heavy vehicles, TP has worked with Samwoh to put up large warning stickers on their fleet of tipper trucks. The initiative aims to increase awareness of a heavy vehicle’s “danger zones” to other road users, especially pedestrians. The stickers also serve as a reminder to fellow motorists to avoid these areas whenever they are driving near a heavy vehicle.
Containerised Traffic System (CTS)
The Containerised Traffic System is a communication network system comprising hardware and software components. Heavy vehicles like prime movers are installed with a mobile data terminal, keypad, GPS Tracker and antenna. Heavy vehicle companies such as Bok Seng Logistics have adopted this technology to track the movement of their prime movers and trailers. Besides providing real time track and trace capabilities, CTS also allows easier planning and scheduling of jobs thereby optimising the use of resources to achieve higher productivity.
Defensive Driving Courses
For information on general defensive driving courses, you may wish to find out more from: