Transforming driver behaviour for safer roads
Transforming driver behaviour for safer roads
Optix’s Safe&Sound programme is tackling the root causes of unsafe driving in South Africa. By empowering drivers and supporting businesses, this innovative solution aligns with global safety goals to reduce accidents and create safer roads for all.
Human factors are responsible for the vast majority of road accidents in South Africa, with estimates indicating that 80% of fatalities result from human error. Despite this alarming figure, there has been little progress in efforts to address unsafe driving behaviour. This raises a critical question: If human error is the leading cause of road accidents, why aren’t more proactive initiatives in place to tackle it?
The challenges are deeply rooted. Drivers often operate under high-stress conditions, rely on ingrained habits, and face complex, real-time decisions. Traditional methods of driver training and monitoring often fail to provide actionable feedback or tackle the underlying causes of unsafe behaviour. As a result, roads remain hazardous.
Recognising this, Optix has developed Safe&Sound, a solution designed to empower, educate, and transform driver behaviour. Comprising nine integrated tools, Safe&Sound aims to instil a culture of safety and shared responsibility among professional drivers.
Addressing road safety goals
Safe&Sound aligns with both global and national road safety imperatives. Its objectives are closely tied to two of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 3.6: Reducing road injuries and fatalities, and Goal 11.2: Developing safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems.
The SDGs, adopted by all UN Member States, include 169 targets to be achieved by 2030. These global commitments have spurred initiatives to address specific road safety challenges. In South Africa, these goals are reflected in national strategies aimed at reducing road fatalities and enhancing transport safety.
“Our mission with Safe&Sound is to create a safer driving culture in South Africa. By equipping companies with tools to monitor and improve driver behaviour, we believe we can significantly reduce accidents caused by human error,” says Safe&Sound executive, Inge-Marie Hilligan.
The successful implementation of Safe&Sound, alongside Optix’s in-cab solutions, could greatly improve road safety across South Africa. This twofold approach is designed to foster safer driving practices and bring the goal of ensuring a safe conclusion to every journey closer to reality.
How Safe&Sound benefits companies
Safe&Sound provides a range of advantages for businesses, including:
– Reducing accidents and costs: Tackling driver errors leads to fewer accidents, minimising vehicle damage and associated costs.
– Improving compliance: The tools help companies adhere to road safety regulations and standards.
– Enhancing reputation: Prioritising safety enhances a company’s public image and builds trust with clients and partners.
– Managing high-risk behaviours: Companies gain better tools for identifying and addressing unsafe driving habits.
The first two commercialised solutions within Safe&Sound, Recruit Me and Empower Me, address key challenges in hiring and driver behaviour management.
Recruit Me
Developed over 18 months, Recruit Me uses a performance-predictive model to evaluate critical aspects of driver performance often missed in traditional interviews. This tool enables recruiters to make informed decisions when selecting candidates, ensuring the right drivers are placed in the right roles.
By matching drivers to positions that align with their skills and strengths, Recruit Me supports long-term job satisfaction and performance. It also helps prevent the common pitfalls of mismatched roles, which can lead to dissatisfaction and safety risks.
Empower Me
Empower Me allows drivers to take ownership of their behaviour, enabling them to self-coach, self-train, and self-correct. Integrated with Optix’s DriveCam technology, this tool provides real-time insights into driving actions, including distractions, fatigue, and traffic rule compliance.
Through personalised feedback and training modules, Empower Me promotes safer driving habits and reduces accident risks. Over the past 12 months, users have reported a 43% reduction in risky behaviours and a 36% decrease in the frequency of such actions. For example, if a driver fails to wear a seatbelt or uses a mobile phone while driving, the system sends timely notifications and video evidence. Drivers can then address and correct their behaviour to prevent future incidents.
Commitment to continuous improvement
Hilligan highlights the company’s dedication to keeping Safe&Sound relevant and effective: “Our commitment doesn’t end once a company adopts these solutions. We employ a social researcher to interview drivers after they’ve used Empower Me for a period of time, ensuring the tools remain impactful and optimised for real-world challenges.”
Safe&Sound represents a significant step towards reducing road accidents in South Africa by addressing the root causes of unsafe driving. By embracing these innovative solutions, companies can contribute to a broader culture of safety while protecting their teams and assets.
As Optix continues to refine its tools, it invites businesses across South Africa to join in fostering safer roads for all. With a collective commitment to safer driving practices, the goal of bringing everyone home safely is now within reach.
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