May 2023 | BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA
WWW.BUSINESSFLEETAFRICA.CO.ZA
importantly, prevent harm to people
by eliminating crashes and avoiding
personal security breaches.
Sadly, while the pre-trip inspection
is compulsory for all learner drivers
undergoing their K53 standard driving
test, it is not a legal requirement for fleet
operators but rather a highly recom-
mended best practice.
In my past occupation as a road traf-
fic enforcement practitioner, we were
often shocked to witness the unroad-
worthy condition of many late-model
vehicles, that otherwise looked new
and shiny from the outside. Some of the
main culprits were long distance, luxury
coaches and heavy transport vehicles.
Not to mention private vehicles with
tyres that were dangerously worn out,
shocks that were shot or brakes that
were in a bad condition–all non-negotia-
ble, safety-critical items.
Time is money. Vehicle downtime is a
huge setback. Delays caused by crashes
and breakdowns have an impact on
delivery times, schedules and contingen-
cy plans that lead to increasing costs and
lowered profits in these tough economic
times. Not to mention the resulting poor
customer service.
Experiencing an incident in any area
these days could spell danger to drivers
and occupants. The cost of replacing
material loss is somewhat acceptable,
but the loss of a life is immeasurable. No
company or individual deserves to live
with the regret of failing to implement
measures that could have avoided such
unfortunate incidents in the first place.
Repair costs are expensive and a
roadside breakdown that necessitates
a call for a mobile mechanic will cost
substantially more than preventative
maintenance that could have been
handled in a workshop.
Most companies have pre-trip
inspection forms and have some require-
ment in respect of conducting them
regularly. It is the fleet manager and
safety officer’s duty to ensure that these
inspections are carried out according to
the prescribed intervals and also done
thoroughly.
If any defects are found that could
compromise safety or attract a traffic
fine, these must be prioritised and
repaired before the vehicle is allowed
back on the road. Only unscrupulous or
fly-by-night operators will put profits
before people by allowing dangerous
vehicles on the road.
The Automibile Association has a
lovely acronym for conducting pre-trip
inspections called FLOWER. At the very
least the following aspects should be in-
spected before every trip or at the very
least, every week or every 1000kms.
Q F = Fuel: fill up before you leave, plan
your route and be aware of where fuel
stations are located on a long trip.
Q L = Lights: check all your lights which
includes park lights, headlamps, day-
light running lights and fog lamps if the
vehicle is fitted with such. Don’t forget
indicators and the reverse lights.
Q O = Oil: check your engine oil and all
other lubricants such as transmission
oil and brake fluid levels. Your vehi-
cle’s manual will provide important
information in this regard.
Q W = Water: avoid overheating
by checking the vehicle’s coolant
level. Whilst you’re at it, check the
windscreen washer level as well.
Q E = Electrics: check all electrical com-
ponents including the wipers, hooter,
aircon, radio and battery. Be sure you
respond appropriately to any warning
sign that lights up.
Q R = Rubber: Tyre safety is absolutely
critical. Check your tyres for correct
air pressure, a minimum tread depth
of 1mm across 100% of the tyre, no
damages to the sidewall, that all nuts
are in place and valve caps secured.
Remember to check the spare wheel,
jack, spanner and warning triangles.
All rubber components, hoses and
fan belts should be checked as well,
especially on heavy transport vehicles.
The inspection regime for heavy goods
and passenger transport vehicles is obvi-
ously much more stringent and compre-
hensive, given the greater risks involved.
This will include correct documentation
and effective loads management, espe-
cially in the case of abnormal vehicles,
vehicles carrying hazardous materials and
vehicles pulling trailers. A more thorough
inspection of the engine compartment,
the trailer with its coupling device and
safety equipment should be conducted to
ensure safe operations.
Whilst conducting pre-trip inspec-
tions, both to the interior and exterior of
the vehicle may seem cumbersome and
time consuming, it has been well proven
by some of the best fleet companies of
being one of the most effective ways of
eliminating downtime, reducing costs
and avoiding unnecessary dangers on
the road. BFA
Ashref Ismail is a multiple award-winning road safety practitioner with more
than 35 years’ experience at provincial, national and international levels. He holds
qualifications in Traffic and Municipal Policing, Teaching, Public Relations and
Professional Driving. He currently runs his own fleet risk management consultancy,
specialising in advanced, hazard management training and driver wellness.