A bus and truck collision on a highway in Argentina has claimed the lives of at least 18 people. The incident is an example of the magnitude of devastation that can be caused by heavy vehicles.
The tragic accident took place on an Argentine highway yesterday when, according to local authorities a truck drove on the wrong side of the road and crashed head on into a bus. The crash resulted in both vehicles igniting into flames and according to the media, all that was left were the “twisted remains” of the wreckage.
Hours later firefighters were still working on retrieving the bodies of the victims which were apparently charred.
The following report from SkyNews.com.au explains what happened during the tragedy,
The collision, which early reports indicated left 15 people wounded, occurred in western Mendoza province, on a highway that links Buenos Aires with Santiago in neighbouring Chile. ‘The bus was hit head-on by a truck with apparently stolen plates of Brazilian origin,’ Mendoza’s health minister Matias Roby told a local news channel, calling the incident ‘heartbreaking’. There were 32 people on the bus, he told the station, including two drivers who were both killed. Source: http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=948544Although this is an extreme example, it does highlight the risk associated with heavy vehicle driving. Because of the magnitude of trucks, the danger they pose is far greater than lighter motor vehicles which makes the responsibility on truckies even greater. That is why it is so important that drivers undergo the necessary Chain of Responsibility (COR) training.
According to the Victorian Government, the chain of responsibility aims to ensure that “all who bear responsibility for conduct that affects compliance should be made accountable for failure to discharge that responsibility”. Source: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/With Safe Work Australia having recently listed Trucking as one of the most dangerous industries in Australia, it isn’t just Argentina which suffers from road safety issues, with collisions and rollovers being the biggest threat to truck driver’s lives (according to the Safe Work study). That is why COR training is important, so that as members of the road supply chain, you are aware of what is expected of you in terms of the law. The good news is that although COR training is mandatory for truck drivers as well as others in the supply chain, it does not need to involve costly and inconvenient classes and in person training at a college or training institute. Anyone can complete the training from the comfort and convenience of their own home or office and the cost is minimal. The following parties are included in the Chain of Responsibility and therefore must complete the COR training,
- driver
- consigner
- consignee
- packer
- loader
- scheduler
- receiver
- carrier
- manufacturer
- employee
- employer
- owner
- board of directors
- senior official
- dispatch officer
- operator
- person in charge of a heavy vehicle
- agent
- subcontractor
