Road and Safety: Advanced Driving and Safety Practices Training

Day 1: Advanced Driving & Defensive Road Safety

Module 1: Advanced Defensive Driving for Public Sector Drivers

• Driver responsibilities and duty-of-care in the public sector

• Defensive driving system: see–think–avoid

• Space management: following distance, escape routes, blind spots

• Speed management for buses (stopping distance, corners, gradients)

• Hazard perception: pedestrians, cyclists, scholars/students, taxi zones

• Intersection safety, lane discipline, merging, overtaking rules

• Wet weather and night driving strategies

• Emergency manoeuvres: controlled braking, skid awareness, avoiding rollover risks

• Passenger safety: acceleration/braking smoothness, boarding/alighting controls

Practical / Engagement Activities

• Hazard perception exercises (video & scenario drills)

• “Near-miss” mapping: drivers share top risk routes and hotspots

• Daily pre-trip safety routine demonstration (walkaround)

Day 2: Compliance, Permits, Registrations & AARTO

Module 2: Permit & Registration Compliance for Public Sector Vehicles

• Key documents: licensing, roadworthiness, operating licences (where applicable)

• Driver documentation: PrDP categories and renewals, medical fitness, logbooks

• Vehicle fitness & inspections: brakes, tyres, lights, emergency exits (buses)

• Overloading and passenger capacity compliance

• Incident reporting basics (internal public sector procedures)

Module 3: AARTO Awareness Campaign (Driver-Focused)

• What AARTO is and why it matters to drivers and employers

• Infringements that commonly affect public sector fleets

• Points system: consequences and behavioural change

• Best practices: avoiding fines, managing notices, internal reporting

• Professional conduct and enforcement interactions (respectful, compliant)

Practical / Engagement Activities

• Document checklist workshop: “Are you road-legal today?”

• AARTO scenario quiz: common infringements and prevention

• Build a personal compliance tracker (renewal dates, checks)

Day 3: Cross-Border Regulations, Behaviour & Emergency Readiness

Module 4: Neighbouring Countries Regulations for University Buses (Cross-Border Readiness)
Drivers’ real challenges addressed with practical checklists:

• Cross-border pre-trip planning (route, rest stops, risk areas)

• Required documents (typical set):

  • Driver: passport, visa (if required), PrDP/driver’s licence acceptance rules

  • Vehicle: registration papers, proof of ownership/authorisation letter, insurance/COMESA (where required), roadworthy (where required)

  • Passengers: passenger list, IDs/passports, consent requirements where applicable

• Vehicle equipment requirements (varies by country): triangles, reflective vests, first aid, fire extinguisher, etc.

• Border processes: customs, immigration, inspections, fees/road levies

• Road rule differences: speed limits, alcohol limits, compulsory lights, tolls

• Handling incidents outside SA: reporting, emergency contacts, organisational escalation

Module 5: Behavioural Issues & Driver Conduct

• Attitude and service culture: representing the public sector

• Fatigue management: sleep, shift planning, breaks, micro-sleep risk

• Distraction control: mobile phones, passengers, in-vehicle habits

• Conflict management: passengers, officials, border staff, other road users

• Substance policy awareness and testing protocols (high-level)

• Stress and anger management on the road

Module 6: Fire Extinguisher Awareness & Safe Use

• Types of extinguishers (high-level): what to use and what not to use

• Inspection: gauge, pin/seal, hose, expiry/service dates, mounting

• PASS method demonstration (Pull–Aim–Squeeze–Sweep)

• When NOT to fight a fire: evacuation rules, passenger safety first

• Bus-specific evacuation basics and muster control

Practical / Engagement Activities

• Cross-border readiness drill: document pack + checklist walk-through

• Behaviour pledge: “Safety & Professional Conduct Charter” signed by drivers

• Fire extinguisher inspection demo + supervised practice (if available onsite)

Deliverables (What participants take back)

• Driver pre-trip inspection checklist (bus version + light vehicle version)

• Cross-border document pack checklist (university buses)

• AARTO quick guide: top infringements to avoid

• Driver behaviour & fatigue self-check tool

• Emergency response contact card template