Speeding

Speeding can be defined as exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions. As a vehicle’s speed increases, so does the distance travelled while the worker processes and reacts to a hazard. At the same time, the distance needed to stop increases considerably.

Risk Awareness: Speeding also contributes to the increased risk of the driver losing control of their vehicle, particularly in relation to large trucks such as B-doubles. At higher speeds, vehicles become more difficult to manoeuvre, especially on tight corners or curves, or where evasive action is necessary. The impact on the worker’s body in the event of a collision also rises as the speed increases.

Speeding is not tolerated under any circumstances As per Stef’s Transport’s Speed Management Policy, ‘Drivers are required to at all times comply with the posted speed limits in towns and other built up areas’. ‘No driver is expected to breach a road law in particular a speeding law in order to meet a time slot. If due to outside influences time slots cannot be met, drivers are to contact management so that the customer can be contacted and a new time slot allocated.’

Remember the consequences Next time your odometer starts to creep over the speed limit, remember what you are putting in jeopardy: your job, your safety and the safety of others around you. Impatience and haste can be detrimental in more ways than one.