Total Marketing Middle East partners with Dubai Police to launch new truck driver safety campaign

Dubai, UAE, 15th February, 2016:  Total Marketing Middle East (TMME), a subsidiary of Total, the fourth largest global oil and gas company, has teamed up with Dubai Police to run a five-day campaign to improve the health and safety of truck drivers on the road.

The ‘Truck Drivers Campaign’ is a four-point initiative informing drivers, to be safe on the roads, they have to be medically fit, take adequate rest, observe speed limits, and ensure their vehicles are in good condition. 

A large tent has been set up at the Fruit & Vegetable Market in Al Aweer where drivers will undergo medical check-ups, receive tips on defensive driving, and have an elementary vehicle check-up.

David Kalife, Managing Director 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 five-day campaign we aim to reach more than 2,000 truck drivers. Together with Dubai Police, we will stress to drivers that by looking after themselves and their vehicles and observing the rules of the road, the chances of having a serious accident will be significantly reduced.”

Every working day this week from 9am to 5pm, truck drivers at the Fruit & Vegetable Market on the junction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Aweer road will be encouraged to visit the campaign tent to undergo free health checks. A team of professional doctors and nursing staff will check the drivers’ blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and Body Mass Index (BMI), and general consultation will also be provided.

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.

Another important feature of the campaign focuses on essential truck maintenance. A team from Dubai Police will teach drivers how to properly look after engines and braking systems, as well check for severe tyre degradation.

In addition, Dubai Police will conduct short defensive driving awareness sessions on how to anticipate and avoid potential road accidents.

Officers will distribute information about fines and blacks points for traffic violations including overloaded trucks, storing leaking goods, driving too close to the vehicle in front, and overtaking dangerously. Drivers will also 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.