A small step towards safer driving in Sudan - Exlogs Driver Training

Exploration Logistics' driver trainer Steve Brown has been working in Yei Province, where one of the biggest dangers to the workforce and local community is the steady increase in motorised vehicles on the already crowded roads. In April, the UN Stakeholders' Forum on Global Road Safety highlighted issues to do with poor awareness, driver education and lack of safety culture as the biggest problems affecting accident rates in low income countries, a situation borne out by Steve who, on behalf of Exploration Logistics, has been working to help both commercial and humanitarian organisations improve driver safety.

In June this year, Steve spent three weeks working for the international humanitarian organisation, Norwegian People's Aid, helping to change the driving habits of 42 personnel working in landmine clearance. Says Steve, "The knowledge you gain from driving in a developed country will still not prepare you for the conditions on Sudanese roads - such as they are - since in the south they have few tarmac surfaces, just dirt tracks".

The difficulties for all road users, for pedestrians, the many cyclists and drivers, are huge. Flooding during the rainy season washes bridges away leaving drivers no alternative but an off-road route. Potholes cause mayhem, particularly when combined with high speed, something which is generally viewed as a sign of driving prowess rather than something to be checked. The roads are congested, not just with motorised vehicles, cattle and goats, but also with children and other pedestrians, for whom walking a 20 mile round trip to collect or deliver something is a pretty normal occurrence.

Off-road skills

Explains Steve, "Driving here in the rainy season, when roads are simply lost to the weather, highlights the importance of knowing how to handle a four-wheel drive vehicle correctly and how to manage the risks inherent in driving off road".

NPA recruits are probably no different from many Western drivers in not understanding the ins and outs of a 4x4 gearbox, for instance how to use diff lock in high and low range gear boxes. Adds Steve, "Many road safety incidents are caused by drivers not understanding their vehicles, not knowing when to switch to four-wheel drive or adjust tyre pressures".

Having the right off-road skills means being able to negotiate a ditch or manage a steep slope without rolling over. It's also about good vehicle maintenance, such as reducing tyre pressures in certain conditions, and then having the equipment to re-inflate them.

After classroom sessions on the theory of defensive and off-road driving the NPA team completed individual assessments of their practical driving skills. Most importantly they were shown how to improve and were given help to practise. Training also included how to handle specialist armoured vehicles, tools of the trade for landmine clearance. After only three weeks, Howard Barnes, Support Manager for NPA mine clearance, can already see the benefits. He confirms, "Our staff enjoyed the experience which has been extremely motivating for everyone involved and a clear catalyst for change".

Adds Steve, "Western organisations have a major role to play in encouraging safer driving practices, sharing knowledge that is easily transferable. By supporting driver training initiatives, organisations like NPA are helping to ensure the learning curve is reduced in low income countries where, sadly, 85% of all road traffic deaths now occur".