In light of the concerns related to driver wellness and safety on South African roads, Shell is proud to reaffirm its commitment to empowering drivers across the nation, particularly during the busy Easter weekend travel period. The idea is to promote road safety and support the wellbeing of drivers. As such, Shell Downstream South Africa will be launching the Truck Drivers Wellness campaign, spanning across 10 locations in all nine provinces of South Africa.
The need for heightened awareness and proactive measures is underscored by the alarming statistics provided by the Ministry of Transport earlier this year. The 2023 December period saw an increase in accidents, particularly in economic hubs such as Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. Human factors contributed to 80.8% of these incidents compared to environmental factors, including heavy rainfall and storms, which only accounted for 10.4% of accidents.
Nazareth Tekeste, General Manager, Lubricants for Shell Downstream South Africa says “These alarming statistics demonstrate the critical role of driver behaviour in accident prevention.”
“The Easter weekend brings with it a surge in travel, amplifying the risks on our roads. Shell recognises the importance of supporting drivers, especially truck drivers who play a vital role in ensuring the timely delivery of goods and sustaining our economy,” she further states.
Building on the previous success of this initiative, the wellness campaign aims to provide drivers with the resources and support they need to stay safe and healthy on the roads. During the Wellness Pit Stops, truck drivers will be given the opportunity to receive a wellness kit and undergo a free health test in partnership with our healthcare associates.
On Wednesday, 27 March 2024 and Thursday, 28 March 2024, truck drivers are invited to make a “Wellness Pit Stop” at participating Shell Truck Stops and Shell Ultra Cities nationwide.
“We understand the importance of a healthy workforce and how truck drivers contribute to our economy. Join us in taking care of all drivers’ well-being,” said Tekeste.
