I'm still on the topic of the Bukit Gantang bus crash earlier this week and the New Straits Times reports today that drivers of express buses and lorries plying the North-South Expressway spend too much time of the roads and have too little rest. About 45 percent of them drive more than 500km in a day and seven percent do twice this distance.It's no wonder that with fatigue setting in, many of them admit to falling asleep at the wheel. Though most times the shut-eye is only momentary, meaning that the driver is jerked awake, it's enough to contribute to accidents on the road.
I can attest to this because last February, on my way back to Penang from Kuala Lumpur, as I was trying to overtake an express bus, I could sense the bus slowly creeping into my right of way. I pulled back and gave a loud tootle on my horn which woke up the bugger. He swung back to his lane and later, gave me a wave of his hand in apology when I tried to overtake him again, this time successfully.
The report in the NST said:
- Almost 60 percent of the drivers spent more than eight hours daily at the wheel;
- About three-quarters of the 1,000 drivers interviewed said they worked six or seven days a week;
- One driver drove from Bukit Kayu Hitam to Singapore, a distance of more than 1,000km, with only two 10-minute breaks;
- Many express buses do not have two drivers although this is required by law;
- Even if there is a co-driver, he is not actually resting but talking with the driver.
2 comments:
Actually this information has been furbish to many related associations and authorities. But none has taken it serious, or initiate to look into the matter. We are the only one took initiative to create awareness among commercial vehicle companies, association and also authorities for the past two years.
This problem is well known globally and Telematics systems is one of the solution already in application in other countries. Here in our country the importance to safety and driving behavior is not given proper attention yet.
Please be noted that we are using the their systems since last year. It has drastically reduce offences made by our drivers, we have 35 lorries. Using their system we have introduced incentives to drivers. Our drivers with good driving behavior will be getting incentives/bonus every 3 months. we find that this system works well for us.
As a logistic company we do realize that transport companies are more concern about the earnings rather than other issues like driver behavior and safety.
It is a competetive business with many transport companies. All of us (transport companies are concern to cut cost). Every thing is expensive now, fuel, maintenance, etc..
Once driver makes mistakes, transport companies simply just terminate the driver. We dont face any lost because the insuarance covers everything.
Anyway,
Last year after several attempts by Telematics on the importants of driving behavior system, we tried it in our 5 trucks first. we was shocked to find out the effectivesness. so we have installed to all our truck. It is good for us because we have "an eye" on our drivers.
now we have less problems and issues pertaining our drivers.
Other transport/logistic companies should use it. It will be better if government can give incentives for this.
VM logistics
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