MTO Group’s John Minnie claimed the Driver of the Year title during the 38th annual Driver of the Year competition held at Eden Meander shopping centre on Saturday (21 October 2017). Mr Minnie won the articulated vehicles category and the coveted overall title, leaving 63 other competitors in his wake.
The overall second prize went to Gerrit Saayman in the category for bus drivers. Sarel Sampson of the George Municipality’s Fleet Management Services department was third overall and winner of the rigid trucks category. The other two category winners were Gerrit Jansen of Moreki Solutions in the vans category and James Botha of Unitrans in the rigid drawbar category.
George Municipality Traffic Chief Donovan Saptoe said the annual competition was a proud tradition among drivers and was seriously contested each year. “People often underestimate the skills that are involved in driving large vehicles – the winners in these categories are truly masters of their trade.
“Road safety is very important to the George Municipality and this competition is an ideal opportunity to encourage responsible driving, develop skills and promote road safety,” said Mr Saptoe.
Sixty-four drivers from local distribution companies, public transport and the municipality competed in five categories including busses, vans, rigid trucks, articulated vehicles and rigid drawbar vehicles. The drivers are allocated points based on an inspection, a road test and precision driving manoeuvres.
Driver of the Year is an annual event organised by the George Municipality to promote responsible driving and develop skills.
The organisers thank the sponsors for their ongoing support: Coca-Cola, BP Atlantic, African Express, Eden Meander Shopping Centre, Old Mutual, Checkers Hyper, Safari Braai Products and R&S Communications.
Distributed by: George Municipality Communication Department
