Safety first for army trucks
The following letter was published in the Straits Times forum on 16 July 2010.
Safety first for army trucks
Jul 16, 2010
I REFER to Mr Tan Lek Lek's letter ("Banning lorries for transport is wrong"; July 2).
I used to work in a transport unit in the army and there are many safety considerations when it comes to putting soldiers on the trucks and even smaller jeeps.
For instance, all trucks are fitted with seat belts and proper secured benches. They are also covered with a steel superstructure and canvas, which protect passengers against the elements and also minimise the danger of passengers tumbling out in the event that the truck tips over.
In the case of the jeeps, when there is no overhead cover, all passengers and the driver are required to wear helmets. Outside of training and regular operational purposes - for example, National Day Parade rehearsals - soldiers are usually ferried in commercial buses, while the trucks are used for transporting stores.
I think if similar measures were made in the transportation of foreign workers, there would definitely be fewer fatalities on the road.
If businesses can get a big enough van or covered truck with basic safety requirements, such as built-in seat belts and a canopy, there will be savings in the long term, given that the likelihood of employers having to pay compensation to injured workers because of traffic accidents would be sharply reduced.
Shaun Teo
Safety first for army trucks
Jul 16, 2010
I REFER to Mr Tan Lek Lek's letter ("Banning lorries for transport is wrong"; July 2).
I used to work in a transport unit in the army and there are many safety considerations when it comes to putting soldiers on the trucks and even smaller jeeps.
For instance, all trucks are fitted with seat belts and proper secured benches. They are also covered with a steel superstructure and canvas, which protect passengers against the elements and also minimise the danger of passengers tumbling out in the event that the truck tips over.
In the case of the jeeps, when there is no overhead cover, all passengers and the driver are required to wear helmets. Outside of training and regular operational purposes - for example, National Day Parade rehearsals - soldiers are usually ferried in commercial buses, while the trucks are used for transporting stores.
I think if similar measures were made in the transportation of foreign workers, there would definitely be fewer fatalities on the road.
If businesses can get a big enough van or covered truck with basic safety requirements, such as built-in seat belts and a canopy, there will be savings in the long term, given that the likelihood of employers having to pay compensation to injured workers because of traffic accidents would be sharply reduced.
Shaun Teo
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