Effectiveness of defensive driving among commercial truck drivers: a case study at MISC integrated Logistics Sdn. Bhd. (MILS)

Abstract

Road accidents involving commercial vehicles in Malaysia have increased over the years. During the process of transporting goods, commercial truck drivers sometimes involve with road accident brought forth by several reasons. All those reasons could lead the commercial truck drivers prone to potentially engage with road accident. Hence, clear understanding on the factors contribute to potential accident should be identified in order to minimise the accident cases. The objectives of this study are to determine for the common causes of road accident involving commercial truck, to evaluate the application of defensive driving while transporting goods and to propose appropriate commercial driver management approach that could be implemented. This study conducted using case study method where the researcher selected a transport company in Port Klang as the population and analysing data related such as the incident investigation report based on the incident that took place in the year 2012. Findings showed that the main causes of road incident involving commercial truck drivers are behaviour and attitude of the drivers themselves, road condition, weather condition and surroundings. However, should the commercial truck driver effectively apply defensive driving method, the risk of having road incident could be minimised. Study concluded that seminar and courses, training session, and discussion and meeting with truck drivers in order educate and correct their behaviours and attitudes are all important. Should their behaviour and attitude improved, they would never driving in aggressive thus applying defensive driving method and this could help them to become more perceptive and have the ability to anticipate the situation and circumstances which on-going the moment when they are on the wheel and eventually very helpful in any situation such as raining, bad road condition or terrible surrounding.