The SaferStops Association has called for a renewed industry-wide commitment to truck driver wellness and road safety at the 2025 Truck Driver Safety & Wellness Symposium, which concluded on 9 May at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre in Boksburg.
The two-day Symposium and exhibition brought together over 300 truck drivers, fleet operators, industry experts, and government officials in a groundbreaking public-private partnership aimed at addressing the critical challenges facing South Africa’s commercial drivers.
A Human-Centred Approach to Road Safety
In a powerful keynote address, the Department of Transport’s Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, emphasised the urgent need to prioritise driver wellness as a cornerstone of road safety, noting that South Africa continues to have one of the highest road fatality rates globally.
“We cannot address road safety without addressing driver wellness,” Hlengwa stated. “Our data shows that medical emergencies, fatigue, and vision impairment significantly contribute to preventable accidents on our roads, costing the economy over R205 billion annually.”
The Department of Transport (DoT) highlighted alarming statistics from the Road Accident Fund’s Driver Wellness Programme, revealing that one in three commercial drivers assessed were medically unfit to drive, while two in three were obese or overweight, and 45% required spectacles.
Healthy Industry Support
Organised by the SaferStops Association in partnership with Golden Gear sponsors Absa, Santam, the Road Accident Fund (RAF), and the DoT together with over 20 private sector partners, the Symposium enjoyed robust, industry-wide support.
SaferStops Association and the RAF led a series of discussions on various topics at the dedicated Physical Health & Wellness workshop. These included ‘Eat, Sleep, Drive, Repeat’ (finding balance in a trucker’s life); ‘Managing Physical Wellness’ (behaviours that are detrimental to wellbeing and longevity); the ‘National Truck Stop Framework Study’ conducted by the SaferStops Association and the DoT (how quality truck stops can better support overall wellbeing and protect assets); and ‘The Missing Link in Risk Management’.
Estelle Jansen van Rensburg, Senior Manager in the Office of the COO, emphasised the RAF’s role and mandate, and outlined the requirements and processes involved in RAF claims.
The financial sector again showed strong support for the Symposium, with Solly Mabelane – Absa Workplace Banking – Financial Education Provider, highlighting the importance of financial wellness as part of overall driver wellbeing. “Financial stress directly impacts driver performance and safety,” Mabelane stated. “Our commitment to financial education programmes for truck drivers addresses a critical but often overlooked aspect of wellness. A driver worried about debt is a distracted driver, and distraction costs lives.”
Absa hosted a financial breakaway room that discussed managing debt, everyday banking and your banking rights.
Santam Heavy Haulage, reinforced their commitment to the cause. “We recognise that truck drivers are the backbone of the trucking industry, and their work is physically demanding and unique,” said Anton Cornelissen, Head of Heavy Haulage at the insurer. “Our support for the Truck Driver Safety & Wellness Symposium aligns perfectly with our commitment to enhancing road safety, improving the industry’s standing, and significantly bolstering the welfare of our truck drivers. We believe that a healthy and well-rested driver is a safe driver.”
Santam and Sanlam together presented three critical workshops in their breakaway room, being, ‘Delivering Cargo Safely and Responsibly, ‘Mental Health & Resilience’ and ‘Living with Confidence by having a Valid Will and Testament’.
The A to Z of Driver Wellness
The 2025 Symposium featured 15 specialised workshops covering a range of topics from financial wellness and debt management to mental health, physical wellness, and safe driving practices. Participants also had access to free medical assessments, including optometry services and free spectacles for those requiring them.
The event marked a significant step forward in addressing the multifaceted challenges facing truck drivers, fleet operators and driver trainers, with a focus on practical, implementable solutions that benefit drivers, transport companies, and road users alike.
“I am incredibly proud of the 2025 Truck Driver Safety and Wellness Symposium,” said Nicci Scott-Anderson, founder and CEO of the SaferStops Association. “The overwhelmingly positive feedback from drivers and driver trainers alike expressed gratitude for finally bringing attention to their needs.
“But we’re not stopping here. Our next step is to unite business managers, HR professionals, driver trainers, and truck drivers to collaboratively address the challenges raised at the 2025 symposium. The time is now to move beyond discussion and take action to tackle these issues together,” she concluded.
