By Joan Wambui
In summary
- The new training program is expected to benefit its transporter companies to significantly increase the skills of their drivers
- The trainers have a mix of experience in heavy commercial vehicles and light vehicles.
- Defensive driving and managing road risk is one of the highest focus areas for Bamburi aimed at improving road safety for drivers.
- The curriculum is designed to be the benchmark of what industry expects of professional drivers aimed at improving productivity
- The ten day trainers program includes a range of scenarios and role play situations in both theory and practical sessions
Leading cement manufacturing and marketing Company in the Eastern Africa region, Bamburi Cement Limited has rolled out a revamped defensive driving training curriculum targeting its transporters in a bid to improve the safety of their fleet drivers.
The new training program is expected to benefit its transporter companies to significantly increase the skills of their drivers. It it is well recognized that higher skilled drivers result in lowered fuel consumption, damage cost reductions, decreased environmental impact and increased staff safety and wellbeing among others, which in turn has an overall positive effect to the bottom-line of the transporter Companies
The Company has partnered with Aegide International (a well renowned Company that provides industrial risk management services for businesses internationally) and has already trained a number of trainers from across six training schools that will in-turn provide other trainers with skills to train, assess and mentor drivers. The trainers have a mix of experience in heavy commercial vehicles and light vehicles.
Speaking during the launch that was also attended by representatives from National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), Traffic police among other stakeholders at the Africa Road Watch Driving School in Athi River, Bamburi’s National Road Safety Coordinator Bernard Odhiambo, noted that defensive driving and managing road risk is one of the highest focus areas for Bamburi aimed at improving road safety for drivers.
“The new defensive driving program will offer a range of defensive driving skills, with the curriculum designed to be the benchmark of what industry expects of professional drivers aimed at improving productivity by keeping fleet of drivers safe, on and off the duty”. He said.
The ten day trainers program includes a range of scenarios and role play situations in both theory and practical sessions which will heighten the ability to access, analyze, and provide written and verbal support to drivers on regular basis.
Odhiambo added that through this new program, the trainers will gain an understanding of the human factors that contribute to the occupational road risks that drivers are exposed to every day. “The mentoring part of this course is a real game changer, as qualifying mentors are equipped with the skills to work closely with drivers and managers to develop driver improvement programs within their transporters company.”
On successful completion of the course, attendees will receive certification demonstrating that they have passed the defensive driving test.
The course will be offered in six currently approved training schools including Diamond Defensive Driving School, Defensive Driving System, Africa Road Watch, JIL Safety Solutions, Defensive driving School of E.A and Pioneer Road Safety Consultants.
