There is debate over the use of cruise control and whether it is a driver aid or in fact a hazard. When used properly, the system aids the driver by controlling the vehicle speed to allow more time for monitoring your surroundings – however, when used incorrectly can turn your vehicle into an automated missile.

There are numerous vehicle characteristics that will impact the safety of the occupants in everyday usage. It is important to select a vehicle that is Fit-For-Purpose (FFP), for instance if you require a vehicle for the transport of three to four passengers, which is only going to be used in a metro environment on sealed roads, then a 4WD may not be appropriate, as 4WD vehicles typically have a higher Centre of Gravity (CoG) than 2WD passenger vehicles, making it more prone to rolling over. This is merely one of the many considerations when determining if a vehicle is FFP.

The vehicle safety features are only going to help the occupants of the vehicle if they are used properly. One of the most common failures is the use the seat head restraint, usually, and inaccurately, termed as a “head rest”. 

Modern motor vehicles can be purchased with safety features that offer assistance to drivers in emergency situations as well as features that assist in reducing the severity of a collision for the occupants of a vehicle. Having a vehicle that addresses both will assist in protecting the lives of the driver and passengers.

The purpose of this month’s bulletin is to improve your understanding of the impact of distractions while driving, and how you can limit distractions to ensure a safer journey. In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded by distractions in our daily lives. This can include while driving motor vehicles. Distractions while driving can be classed as either external or internal.

One of the main distractions that can affect us while driving is the temptation to use mobile phones. With the rising popularity of smartphones, drivers are able to access the internet, check emails, send text messages, watch films and play games. In every case, mobile phones present a risk to driving behaviour. In fact, studies suggest that drivers using a mobile phone are approximately four times more likely to be involved in a crash.

A recommended case study where a safe roads campaign can best be seen in action is in Western Australia. They have adopted a strategy called “Towards Zero – Getting There Together”. The strategy aims to improve road safety through four cornerstones: Safe Road Use, Safe Roads and Roadsides, Safe Speeds, and Safe Vehicles. If all cornerstones of the Towards Zero strategy are fully implemented, there is a potential to save 11,000 people from being killed or seriously injured between 2008 and 2020.

The safety of road infrastructure can depend on characteristics such as a road’s carriageway width, markings, signing, lighting, road surface and traffic management. It depends on separating fast moving streams of traffic and the provision of features that prevent high-energy collisions, such as those involving roadside barriers.

In collaboration with Egypt partner Alkan CIT, DP World Sokhna has elected a MiX Telematics solution for the monitoring of 205 assets including vehicles, trucks, cranes, special ports equipment and forklifts. The solution will enable the leading marine terminal operator to deliver strategic logistics and related services in line with today’s rising need for high tech ports. A reduction in operating costs, the prevention of unauthorised movements and driver behaviour reports are a few of the benefits to be expected from the new solution.

In collaboration with New Zealand channel partner, Vehicle Technologies, MiX Telematics has secured a fleet management contract with the country’s largest operator of urban bus services – NZ Bus. The proven solution will be installed in a fleet of 1,100 buses, starting with 650. NZ Bus looks forward to exceptional vehicle and driver performance data, which will be used as part of their substantial and continuous improvement programme.