The Road Transport Management System (RTMS) confirmed that the number of heavy vehicles that are RTMS certified has surpassed the 10 000 mark. This increase demonstrates the commitment road transport operators are putting in place in order to implement standards and comply with South Africa’s road traffic regulations to improve road safety, preserve road infrastructure and increase productivity.
According to Adrian van Tonder, chairman of the RTMS national steering committee, transport operators have seen the long-term benefits that RTMS compliance offers. “Over the last few years, we have seen a massive leap in the number of trucks and buses becoming RTMS compliant. In 2007, we had 74 RTMS certified heavy vehicles on the road. With our ongoing commitment to road safety, we hope to reach 11 000 before the end of the year.
“Businesses tend to take a quantum leap forward in terms of road safety and productivity once they implement the basics of the RTMS management system. That’s why more and more transport companies are joining the initiative – they see tangible results,” he said.
The RTMS certification has grown to become an official SABS standard in the South African heavy vehicle transport sector. The success of the self-regulation scheme can be attributed to the fact that companies are continuously being monitored to ensure that they remain compliant with the RTMS standard.
“RTMS certification is only valid for 12 months. Companies get audited by external auditors on an annual basis, and quarterly there is a lot of key safety data that gets uploaded onto the website for verification,” said van Tonder.
Hein Jordt, MD of Ctrack Fleet Management Solutions, advised that all stakeholders in the road logistics value chain are aware of the problems that affect their operations.
“Despite concerted and ongoing law enforcement operations, the sharp increase in heavy vehicle traffic continue to be a major challenge on South African roads. Poorly maintained trucks, badly secured loads and inadequately trained or exhausted drivers all pose road safety dangers that can be avoided.
“The strong membership base of the RTMS is a clear sign that stakeholders in the trucking industry are taking serious steps to address these and other challenges,” he said.
Van Tonder is one of the speakers at this year’s TruckX Conference and Exhibition, hosted by Ctrack and Standard Bank. The convention takes place on 2 August at the Sandton Convention Centre.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to book tickets, visit www.truckx.co.za or contact Susanna Voysey at 084 795 1948 / susanna@thefuture.co.za.
