Total has teamed up with Dubai Police to run a four-point, five-day campaign to improve the health and safety of truck drivers on the road.
The initiative is focused on informing drivers, to be safe on the roads, to be medically fit and take adequate rest, observe speed limits, and ensure their vehicles are in good condition.
David Kalife, MD of Total Marketing Middle East, said: “At Total, we care about the safety of not only our own employees, but the community as a whole. We are proud to be working side-by-side with Dubai Police to launch this important step in the ongoing campaign to improve safety on our roads.
“The campaign has a long-term aim to raise awareness about the main causes of accidents involving heavy goods vehicles. Throughout this campaign we aim to reach more than 2,000 truck drivers.”
A large tent has been set up at the grocery market in Al Aweer where from 9am to 5pm drivers can undergo medical check-ups with a team of professional doctors and nurses who will check the drivers’ blood pressure, blood sugar levels and body mass index (BMI).
The campaign is based on studies on the influence of medical conditions in hundreds of fatal road accidents involving heavy goods vehicles, revealing that the probability of causing an accident increases by a factor of 3.5 if the driver has a chronic illness.
The drivers can also have an elementary vehicle check-up with a team from Dubai Police, who will give guidance on looking after engines and braking systems and checking for severe tyre degradation.
In addition, the Dubai Police are conducting short defensive driving awareness sessions on how to anticipate and avoid potential road accidents and fine or black point-incurring traffic violations.
Attending drivers will receive safety kits containing items such as high-visibility reflective jackets, safety goggles, and gloves as well as other safety equipment to help protect them.
