As the year winds down and the festive season lights up, our roads come alive with bustling activity. For businesses with commercial fleets, this busy time offers the perfect opportunity to focus on proactive measures that keep drivers and vehicles safe during the December and January period.
At Hollard, we're passionate about championing safer roads for everyone. As an insurer, who is in the business of enabling more people to secure better futures, we want to protect lives by encouraging safe driving on our roads. That’s why we proudly promote a smart, data-driven approach to make every journey a safer one for all road users.
Hollard Highway Heroes (HHH) is our flagship program, developed to reward and celebrate the unsung heroes of the road: truck and bus drivers who go the extra mile to make our roads safer.
In November, we had the privilege of crowning two remarkable individuals who bested other competition entrants in demonstrating safe driving practices on South Africa’s highways. Drivers Daniel Jansen from Mossel Bay, representing Grain Carriers, and Tholo Levy Manamela from Soshanguve, representing the Larimar Group, were named the 2024 Hollard Highway Heroes in the truck and bus categories, respectively.
These drivers are true road safety role models, exemplifying the qualities of a great driver – paying attention to detail, understanding the importance of taking regular breaks, maintaining speed limits and staying alert on the road.
During the holiday season, bustling traffic, longer journeys and tired drivers can make our roads a little more challenging. At Hollard, we’ve seen how poor driving habits can affect both driver safety and others on the road. And we believe with a stronger focus on safer driving practices, we can help save lives, protect livelihoods and keep everyone moving happily and safely!
One of the most effective ways to improve safety on our roads is by leveraging technology.
Using telematics, businesses can monitor and analyse driver behaviour, identifying risky practices. With this data, fleet owners can identify drivers who need additional training, set safety standards and offer incentives for safe driving. This data-driven approach enables businesses to make informed risk management decisions and improve their fleets’ overall safety.
At Hollard, we understand the value of collaboration in improving road safety across the fleet industry. Our partnerships with key industry players, help us support fleet owners with the tools and insights needed to improve driver safety. These partnerships have been instrumental in bringing cutting-edge technology and expert advice to the businesses we serve, helping them navigate the complex landscape of road safety management.
The end of the year is also a good time for businesses to review their safety protocols and take action to mitigate risks. For fleet owners, combining technology and a safety-first mindset is key to reducing accidents, improving driver behaviour and reducing the cost of your business insurance.
Unsures – those unexpected and uncertain moments on the road – can happen at any time, whether due to weather conditions, distracted driving or fatigue. However, by prioritising road safety now you can protect your drivers, your fleet and your business in the long run.