Re-thinking Road Safety

MD of MAN Truck and Bus, Franz Freiherr von Redwitz, talks to Logistics News ME about MAN’s work to improve the safety of trucks and road transport

In 2012, in the UAE, the number of deaths resulting from road accidents per 100,000 population stood at 6.71. The UAE Vision 2021 aims to reduce this number to 3 deaths per 100,000 population annually.

It’s a bold ambition and a difficult task, while logistics and transportation firms should be training their drivers and monitoring performance, they often don’t, leaving millions of road users at risk. Cultural considerations also play a factor, with levels of safety awareness differing vastly between nationalities.

As a leader in commercial vehicle products with a tradition of promoting the road safety message across the Middle East, MAN Truck and Bus is committed to supporting the UAE Government’s efforts to improve road safety and reduce traffic fatalities on the country’s roads through a number of methods.

“In general, education is important for all road users and not only for the commercial driver. All car drivers need to understand factors surrounding stopping distances and how they can vary depending on vehicle type and speed. However when it comes to accidents involving trucks, the results are usually deadly.  For instance, a semi-trailer truck takes roughly three times more to stop than a car and hence one must never pull in front of a semi-trailer truck and brake abruptly,” says Franz Freiherr von Redwitz, MD, MAN Truck and Bus.

“Through our ongoing safety campaign, we aim to highlight the top reasons that impact road safety from a commercial vehicle perspective such as load of the vehicle, driver alertness, worn tires and incorrect or incomplete maintenance. It is an important step towards greater cross-stakeholder collaboration that will help make the country’s roads safer,” he adds.

Last month in partnership with the government of Abu Dhabi, MAN hosted a two day interactive road safety event, attended by police, road users and media from across the UAE. The event was part of MAN’s commitment to helping the UAE achieve its road safety targets.

The main focus was to explore ways in which heavy commercial vehicles can contribute to increasing safety and reducing fatalities on UAE roads. Speakers at the event included experts from Abu Dhabi Police Road Safety Department, RoadSafetyUAE and MAN Truck and Bus Middle East who discussed the initiatives and solutions to meet Vision 2021 road safety targets.

Among the safe driving tips discussed, adequate and regular rest breaks, which are not protected under regional regulations. Abu Dhabi does stipulate a maximum shift of 10 to 11.30 hours, however it is “voluntary guidance” according to the Department of Transport.

If a driver has not slept in 17 hours, their driving ability is similar to a driver who is driving under the influence of alcohol. Today there are technology alternatives available, such as Tachographs, to monitor driver working hours, which have a huge impact on accident rates in other countries. The Tachograph helps in enabling enforcement of rules related to drivers’ hours, and functions as an aid to road safety. Using a combined speedometer and clock, the Tachograph records automatically on a paper disc the vehicle’s speed, distance travelled, and time spent on the road, helping keep tired drivers off the roads.

Redwitz says: “The impact of driver education and training on vehicle performance and safety is hugely underestimated in the region. As a result, many fleet owners are reluctant to invest in driver education.

“Also, there is a common misconception that the current situation can be changed solely by focusing on driver education and training. While driver education is of course hugely important, the driver basically executes what a supervisor or transport manager requires, so it is paramount that fleet owners and managers adopt a more proactive approach to safety.”

The weight of the vehicle is also a point of concern and it is not only the gross vehicle weight that can affect safety. Load positioning and distribution too can have consequences for road safety, hence it important to know how to load the vehicle for safe use. Severe overloading of the drive axle or under-loading of the trailer axle can adversely affect steering, braking and speed control.

But MAN isn’t just talking the talk. Among other things, the event was also a platform to highlight MAN’s ProfiDrive® training program – to increase safety on UAE roads, with an interactive iPad-guided ‘Road Safety Walk Around’ showcasing the latest road safety technologies on a truck .

Redwitz explains: “Designed to improve driver knowledge and skills and promote rational driving behaviour based on safety regulations, MAN ProfiDrive® offers a range of training courses that combine theoretical and practical exercises to make everyday driving safer and more economic. The courses are carefully tailored to ensure drivers are fully trained on how to avoid risks on the road based on a cautious and safe driving style, and seek to guide them on the correct way to respond to critical driving situations.”

MAN trucks are equipped with a variety of technology designed to improve active and passive vehicle safety such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to prevent accidents caused by overturning or straying from the lane, Anti-Spin Regulator (ASR) to aid controlled braking, and Electronic Damping Control (EDC) to optimise safety and handling.
Redwitz continues: “Improving road safety is one of our highest priorities at MAN and we have many products available today in terms of technology solutions and driver training support which have been developed after many years of research based on various accident reports.

“With global expertise in the field of vehicle safety and road safety, MAN can contribute in a number of ways in enhancing road safety in the UAE – such as supporting the introduction of road transport regulations, providing training and education for transport operators and enforcement officers, and supporting the introduction of mandatory vehicle specification standards for new product deliveries.”

Driving Tips from MAN

Loading: Severe overloading of the drive axle or under-loading of the trailer axle can adversely affect steering, braking and speed control.

Tire suitability is a vital link in the load-to-road chain. Care must be taken to ensure that the maximum load rating for a tire is never exceeded.

Driver alertness is critical.

When it comes to braking, having an understanding of the complete inter-relationship of systems is important.

Mismatch of tractor-trailer combinations can result in an unsafe vehicle in operation.

Maintenance has a large part to play in safety. Regular maintenance is essential to ensuring the safety of your vehicle and keeping it running at peak efficiency.

Intelligent technology solutions such as MAN TeleMatics® can significantly contribute to enhancing vehicle safety and efficiency by providing drivers and fleet managers with essential data to optimise vehicle usage and plan services well in advance