'The more you train, the more you gain'
A well trained driver is safer and achieves better fuel efficiency. Even highly experienced drivers can improve, says Claes Åkerlund, one of Scania’s driver training experts.
Photo: Scania“A well trained driver can handle a difficult situation by foreseeing what will happen and choosing the easiest alternative,” says Claes Åkerlund, Concept Manager, Scania Driver Training.
“Heavy vehicle drivers really have a tough working environment. In spite of congested motorways, damaged forest roads and stressful city streets, they are supposed to deliver their cargo reliably and on time. Furthermore, they are supposed to drive so gently and smoothly that they save fuel, tyres, vehicles, the environment − and of course all other road users.
Under the wrong circumstances, all this may be difficult to live up to. But truck drivers can prepare themselves − by undergoing professionally organised training, because just as in the sports world: the more you train, the more you gain.
Driver training results in better fuel efficiency
Our follow-up surveys show that drivers who undergo Scania driver training achieve at least 10 percent better fuel efficiency after the course, often more. And even highly experienced truck drivers can expect to save 10 percent on fuel.
These are important percentages − important contributions to company margins.
It’s not a matter of driving more slowly. By driving more foresightedly and following traffic and red lights, you can even increase your average speed.
The training course also helps you to drive more calmly and safely and to be less likely to get involved in accidents. A well trained truck driver can handle a difficult situation by foreseeing what will happen and choosing the easiest alternative. A well trained driver is also a professional who respects and understands other people’s behaviour.
Translating this into economic terms, it means less unplanned downtime and lower insurance premiums, and higher availability means that more work gets done.
Again: these are important contributions to margins.
Truck drivers can help save lives
To me, safety is also a global issue, one that we in the transport industry can help influence. Today traffic fatalities are the ninth most common cause of death, and many people believe that they will unfortunately become even more common. Transport needs keep growing, and the 17 million trucks now on the roads around the world will become even more numerous. This is where well trained truck and bus drivers can help save lives.
One of our experienced driver trainers, Chris Vermeiren of Belgium, summarised all this very well to one of his students: ‘Driving style − that’s the key to everything. Rolling to a stop, driving at low revs, being foresighted… If you start driving as I say, your stress level will fall even more − without your getting there much later. This new driving style is better for your truck, for your boss, for road safety, for the environment and not least for yourself.’
He couldn’t have said it better.”
10 arguments for driver training
Fewer accidents
Lower vehicle maintenance costs
Longer tyre service life
Lower oil consumption
Longer powertrain and other component service life
Lower insurance premiums
Lower fuel consumption
Lower emissions
Improved driver skills
Better attitudes in traffic
Courses can be tailored
Scania’s driver training was designed in accordance with the European Union directive on mandatory periodic training of professional drivers (at least 35 hours during five years). The exact course content varies from country to country and is often adapted to special needs. Scania can help tailor the course to fit the development plans of your haulage company. For example, a one-day course may contain a free-standing unit on fuel-efficient driving.
Over the past decade, Scania has helped to train more than 20,000 Brazilian truck drivers. In South Africa, about 1,000 truck drivers are trained each year at the Scania Driver Academy. In Europe, Scania trained some 5,500 drivers during 2007.
Always included in Scania’s common driver training platform are:
Vehicle technology and environmental issues
Driving technique and road safety
Load positioning and securing
Risk awareness
Emergency situations
Service and logistics
Application of laws and regulations
Contact your nearest Scania workshop or dealer for more information. Also see
www.scania.com/products-services/services/driver-training/
