Author:focus-on-transport

JIM WARD has been involved in the transport and logistics industry for 33 years. He found himself thinking about how much it has changed during this time, and was inspired to put his ideas to paper about what the future may hold. June 5, 2037, 06:00, Greater Gauteng. Tsepo picks his driver’s smart card (DSC) from its charging bank and makes his way to his clean, white Indo-Chinese/European truck. As he approaches, his smart card is recognised and signals the […]

Hundreds more truck drivers die each year on South African roads than miners working in the country’s mines. Gareth Greathead takes a look at what measures are in place to ensure drivers and their families get the support they deserve following an accident, if they don’t come home, suffer a permanent impairment, or lose their ability to earn an income. According to personal-injury specialist, RoadCover, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) is a public entity set up to provide compensation to […]

What legislation will transport and logistics professionals need to be aware of in 2019? We find out. Peter Lamb, director at Norton Rose Fulbright, suggests that the main piece of legislation transporters will need to be cognisant of in 2019 is the update on the Draft Economic Regulation of Transport Bill, 2018. Lamb’s colleague, Martin Hartwell, commented on the previous version of the draft in issue 8 of FOCUS. However, it has since been revised in lieu of the original […]

Even the most responsible companies, the best drivers and the most comprehensive training have not eliminated the incidence of truck accidents. FOCUS investigates how in-cab fatigue-detection technology is providing a wake-up call for drivers. Research conducted by the Interdisciplinary Accident Research Centre in South Africa suggests that up to 41 percent of road accidents can be attributed to fatigue. Senior client manager of DriveRisk, Gerard Kloppers, says: “Driver fatigue and distraction are two of the most pervasive challenges facing logistics […]

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has (finally) expanded its range of Unimog specialised trucks in South Africa, with a model designed specifically for the agricultural sector. GAVIN MYERS gets acquainted with the first unit to land. The Unimog U 4000/U 5000 model range is well known in South Africa for its bulletproof ruggedness, customisability and suitability for a multitude of applications. Now, another kind of Unimog has arrived – a far more compact, high-tech machine that, in fact, takes the Mog back to […]

What does it take to become winner of the International Van of the Year (Ivoty) award? Over the 27 years of honouring van brands and models with the most prestigious prize in the light commercial vehicle sector, the criteria remain the same: victory is decided by innovation, creating efficiencies, being environmentally friendly and safety, writes JARLATH SWEENEY, editor of Fleet magazine Groupe PSA entered the 2019 competition with three new van designs in one – meaning they each share platform, […]

Disruption is the buzzword that has dominated boardrooms during the second decade of the 21st century. Public transport is no exception, with e-hailing apps changing the way commuters travel. However, such solutions have been the ire of their “traditional” competition – so how can everyone operate together? Barely a month goes by without some report of violence towards drivers of e-hailing services – such as Uber and Taxify. Traditionally, the perpetrators have been drivers of metered taxis, who bitterly and […]