A is an eating establishment, usually located near a busy road, with a large parking area for trucks and other heavy vehicles. The stop usually offers a range of services for professional truck drivers to rest and refresh themselves, often with accommodation and other services available.
In South Africa the road traffic data indicates that:
In January 2006 more than 244 000 trucks were moving freight across the country.
In January alone 1 875 trucks were sold – an indication that road freight transport is growing with enormous speed.
There is a high rate of accidents and one of the factors that have been identified as contributing to this problem is fatigue, and this includes truckers, especially with the distances they have to travel transporting goods.
There is a need for convenient, safe and comfortable truck stops on all major road freight routes around South Africa.
Research on Drowsiness / Driver Tiredness amongst Truck Drivers
Driver tiredness poses a significant risk to road safety – and several studies have indicated that this problem is experienced daily by Truck drivers
The Marianhill Engen provides a safe resting place for the numerous truck drivers travelling the busy N3 between Gauteng and Durban.According to Arrive Alive, the high number of road accidents in South Africa is largely due to driver fatigue. This is especially so in the case of truck drivers, who have to travel thousands of kilometres in order to deliver loads, often relying on just a few hours of disturbed sleep.
This is where the Marianhill Engen truck stop in Pinetown comes in. It is situated on the N3, a major transport route between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. This route is regarded by truck drivers as the busiest and most dangerous of our national roads.
As Durban is Southern Africa’s largest container port, extremely heavy traffic along this route is a reality. This has created the need for a clean and safe where drivers can relax and get in some well-deserved shut-eye – making the roads safer for everyone.
Marianhill Engen the highest diesel volume truck stop in South Africa – was first opened in October 1991, and is still run by the same family, The prides itself on being the truck driver’s home away from home. We know that they have a really difficult job; we try to ease their plight and boost road safety by providing them with a wide range of clean and comfortable facilities.
Marianhill is capable of parking 50 to 60 trucks on concrete per night. Although drivers sleep in their trucks, a pleasant recreation room allows them to relax and enjoy some down time when not actually sleeping. The recreation room is kitted out with DStv satellite, including access to M-NET and all sports channels, naturally, this particular feature of the was a real hit during the World Cup. The room also has a pool table for drivers to use and interact with each other. “Human interaction is vital to these lone-wolf drivers who spend hours alone on the road away from their families,
Hot food is available for take-away, as well as all non-alcoholic beverages. This ensures that the temptation to drink while on the road is not put close at hand; another way Marianhill Engen is safeguarding all those who use South Africa’s roads, in line with Engen’s zero tolerance policy where alcohol abuse is concerned.
The also offers separate ablution blocks for males and females; both with clean, well-maintained toilets, hot showers and wash basins.Drivers, their trucks and cargo are all kept safe by the facility’s 24-hour access control, security and fencing and a night patrol guard – meaning the drivers can sleep peacefully knowing they are being watched over.Another initiative Marianhill Engen truck stop uses to keep drivers safe is the on-site wellness centre. “This ensures that drivers are able to have regular health check-ups when on the road. It is extremely important for truck drivers to be in good health; a truck driver with bad eyesight, untreated diabetes or severe hypertension – to name but a few medical conditions – does not make for safe roads.
Should truckers encounter any vehicle problems while on the road, Rieks Towing, Vossies Towing and CTS Trailers are all customers of the truck stop and are only a phone call away. Marianhill also offers a state-of-the-art 24-hour breakdown service with minor repair capabilities and the full range of Engen quality products. There is a CMH (Nissan UD) workshop on site; and MAN, Volvo, FAW and Tyco are all within two kilometres of the .
The team at Marianhill Engen truck stop did not only have drivers in mind when creating the perfect haven for truckers. The facilities include a 24-hour telephone and fax depot, while e-mail access and ATMs are also available. The will even provide drivers with cash for toll gates if electronic fund transfers have been made by the operators.
We are sure you will agree that Marianhill Engen is ideally equipped and situated to meet the long-standing need for a facility of its kind in the Durban area, and we intend on being around for many years to come as your number one .
In a 1997 survey of 593 long-distance truck drivers randomly selected at private truck stops and public rest areas in New York, 25 percent of the drivers said that at least once during the last year, they had fallen asleep while driving - and 17 percent said it occurred on more than one occasion.
In South Africa a research study has been conducted by Nelisiwe Magubane & Mala Ramanna from the Interdisciplinary Accident Research Centre of KwaZulu –Natal on the topic “Truck Drivers and Road Crashes in South Africa”
This study concluded amongst other findings:
Main problems experienced by truck drivers: 39% Fatigue related.
The recommendations from this research include the following:
There should be government legislation that forces drivers to stop between 11pm and 5am for compulsory rest. Most drivers sleep for +-4hrs per 24hr.
Companies should allow drivers more family time. This will stop the use of prostitutes but also de-stress drivers.
More safe and clean truck stops are needed. Alternatively, along the route there should be lay-bys constructed with stadium lights and security so that drivers can sleep in relative safety. This is especially so on the N3 because drivers regard this national highway as dangerous.
Trucks should be fitted with communication devices, e.g. two-way radios. This can act as a mechanism to warn other drivers of possible hijacking situations or as a tool to ensure the safety of the truck and driver.
Almost all truck drivers are interested in participating in any government road safety strategy that will improve and promote their skill.
Drivers need to attend regular driver training courses to improve their skill as well as stop complacency. Further, there should be relevant training courses for truck drivers that carry specialized/ dangerous goods e.g. chemicals.
Truck Drivers and Road Crashes in South Africa
Driver Tiredness /Drowsiness
The transfer of HIV/ Aids and sexually transmitted infections is a growing concern in the transport industry.
These threats can only be addressed by way of the partnerships of our society: government and the private sector; workers and management; transport operators and commuters.
can be an important part of the strategy to protect Truck Drivers against these and other illnesses and provide information on these risks.
Authorities, Truck Stops and Road Safety
At the opening of Engen Highway Junction on the 28th of May 1999, the Minister of Transport, Mac Maharaj, emphasized that the road freight sector and its associated stakeholders were the first business sectors in South Africa to forge ahead in a partnership with government, employers, unions and NGOs on board to tackle the crisis of road safety in the road freight industry.
In 2005 the Department of Transport launched the National Freight Logistics Strategy.
This Strategy addresses issues of “reducing the cost of logistics to the economy" and ensures "that social and economic objectives are met within the freight logistics systems".
The commitment to the National Freight Logistics Strategy was further strengthened with the official opening of the Ventersburg Truck Stop by Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe on the 3rd of March 2006.
Government, via the Department of Transport (DoT) and the South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) have initiated a programme whereby new are being built to improve truck transport efficiencies and driver job satisfaction, while simultaneously empowering local communities.
Advantages/ Characteristics of modern The best way to address driver fatigue/ driver tiredness by offering a good sleep
Security systems with cameras and lighting can prevent the threats of hijacking, theft etc
Increased sanitation with spotlessly clean ablution and shower facilities
High quality food
An excellent venue to address HIV education
An opportunity to boost the local economy with a continuous stream of travellers passing through
Additional income for local business providing truckers with various necessary services including food and drink, groceries as well as truck repair and parts provision.
A Medical facility and medical care provide an opportunity for truck drivers to check HIV/AIDS and diabetes status and have their eyes tested."
These facilities may have phones so truckers can safely call families and conduct other business during their meal breaks
Modern have high speed wireless internet access and an internet kiosk.