The Dangerous World of South African Trucking

Thanks for watching the fourth episode of Trucking World and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for future videos! Let me know what country you’d like to see covered next in the comments section and check out the discord linked below.
Discord:
/ discord
Intro (00:00)
Roads (00:41)
Trucks (01:58)
Economy (02:39)
Regulations (03:11)
Challenges (04:26)
Impact (05:21)
Information Sources:
truckandfreight.co.za
uir.unisa.ac.za
imperialroadsafety.co.za
www.gov.za/sites/default/file...
www.timeslive.co.za/news/sout...
KZbin Accounts Featured (in order of appearance):
/ @andries349
/ @motoringmayhem
/ @rahulsharmaofficial
/ @travelthroughthelens369
/ @jutah
/ @sabcdigitalnews
/ @africatravelchannel
/ @sick9990101
/ @hitechplanthire7358
/ @spitoinkr
/ @focusontransport
/ @khayamahlangu3192
/ @mansouthafrica9231
/ @daftrucksnv
/ @jonathanmarkcrawford5982
/ @mayatmaj
/ @truckcentredurban2894
/ @khayamahlangu3192
/ @sandyhowes9842
/ @cgtnafrica
/ @railfaninsouthafrica
/ channel
/ @wealthybites7886
/ @ctvnews
/ @news24video

[@jacovanzyl647]

the taxi going straight from a left turn only lane and skipping the stop sign completely is definitely a very South African thing

[@Explosivefox109]

Surprised how much the roads (in built up areas) and vehicles generally look like what we have in Australia. When the first truck footage popped up I immediately thought "B-Double!". I guess there is somewhat comparable geography and economics to the the Eastern Half of Australia.

[@LordHeadcheez]

There is a reason "South Africa or Australia!?" is a very stressful situation for Geoguessr players!

[@adilachahbar3154]

I think the population of African soldiers is 50 million So this is expected

[@Makon112]

I think that it is expected because you were both colonized by the UK at one point or another.

[@powdermonkey7697]

@@Makon112 So were Canada and the US but their roads, signage, line markings and urban development are pretty distinct from other former British colonies. To give you an example, the average Australian suburb is about twice as dense as the average American suburb, while house sizes are broadly similar.

[@bestduckyrblx2944]

@@LordHeadcheez Guide yourself with the cars - Lots of fragile 3rd world hatchbacks that are common in ZA roads that are illegal to sell in Australia

[@RSA4EVA]

The footage used when speaking about trucks being hijacked was actually the attempted highjacking of a cash in transit vehicle. There are actually videos on KZbin of this and interviews with the driver afterwards.

[@verylongname8161]

Deadliest roads is an excellent documentary series about (mostly trucking) in places like Africa, I strongly suggest watching it

[@fahrenheit2530]

South Africa's one of my favorite countries, this video was very informative and answered some questions I had regarding why American trucks were less common there now as compared to the 80's. During Apartheid no one really knew about South African trucking, I think a Dutch magazine devoted a couple pages to it in 77 but other than that nothing. Then in the 90's a bunch of South African truck spotters got online and we got to see the rare American beauties they had down there, old Peterbilt 377's and 359's, Kenworth K100s and W900s, set back axle Internationals, late 80's Whites, custom Western Stars with homemade RHD conversions, and so much more. The European and Japanese branded trucks there are cool too, whereas most American trucks in South Africa come straight from the US the newer European models seem to have more of an Australian heritage while the older ones are still grinding it out and proving their worth despite their age. South Africa's best kept secret is their truck manufacturers, which are small and have a limited export market. Aside from Powerstar, TFM and URI have made some iconic police vehicles, but by far and away the most beautiful South African trucks were built by a company called Ralph. Ralphs are very, very rare, and they look like a Kenworth mixed with an Autocar. They had Detroit diesel engines and were built for life out in the veldt. A lot of them wound up in Johannesburg where they were built. On a final note, if you ever visit South Africa and want to see some USDM trucks down there, there's a company called Kobus Minnaar Vervoer in the Limpopo province that has a huge fleet of antique American trucks, mostly imported in the late 80's and early 90's. Each one is a show stopper and they're constantly backdating to build their fleet.

[@Kjrulz101]

I think a large reason that trucks in general were not as common in the 80's was the fact that our national railways were pristine. My Dad told me a lot about how most cargo was shipped via rail when he was a police officer in the late 80's and through to the 90's. As the railways deteriorated trucking obviously became the go to for cargo shipping.

[@fahrenheit2530]

@@Kjrulz101 Interesting! Here in the US the railroads literally could not survive without trucks, since our rail network is so abysmal. It's rare for small towns to have a rail link here, and big cities usually just have a hub yard and few major industries that ship by rail, so everything else is up to the truckers.

[@diogeneslantern18]

How do you know all this about Saffer trucking?

[@fahrenheit2530]

@@diogeneslantern18 There's a photo gallery website called South African transport, which hasn't been updated in years but it paints a very good picture of what South African trucking was like from the late 80's to the late 2000's, and it especially highlights American and Canadian brands like Kenworth, Pacific, Western Star, and Peterbilt. I learned about Ralph trucks while I was reading a book called "The world encyclopedia of trucks" by Peter Davies. There's also information in that book about a potential South African truck manufacturer that sadly never got off the ground.

[@viscerva984]

This Trucking World series is great, hope to so more! Also, could you do a video about trucks that carry liquids. You've already touched fire trucks as such, others would be appreciated.

[@stefanvanveenendaal5741]

A point of clarity: We don't call them "B-doubles" - they are interlinks. The regulations allow for this length as standard, and it has been updated to 22,5m to permit bull bars. Interlinks are by far the most common long distance set-up, as the standard configation allows for 1x 40' and 1x20' container to be carried on the same truck. Other abnormal loads are also permitted, including longer and heavier road trains, particularly for mining and timber products.

[@michaelbotha371]

Good comment. I think it's worth mentioning that abnormal loads are only allowed if special permits have been obtained (per trip). These permits usually mandates marked escort vehicles, sometimes even law enforcement escorts, limited working hours (6:00 - 18:00 only) and frequently way lower speed limits (sometimes as low as 5km/h, but mostly 40 or 60). The convoy may usually not go off the pre-prepared route plan. Sometimes the electricity company (Escom) is involved to lift power cables if a truck that needs to pass underneath them are too high. The mining and timber road trains don't need per trip permits as they operate on dedicated routes mostly isolated from public routes, but I stand corrected on this.

[@josh113866]

I've seen the whole video of that armoured truck attempted jacking and it is bloody intense! Definitely not the driver's first rodeo either.

[@madcat4563]

Well done with the pronunciation of the different provinces. Most foreigners get it wrong. Great video. I wish it was longer. I'm pretty sure the dangers of trucking here can be a video on its own.

[@NicholasWasntHere]

I love how you could've easily made this into a weekly series but you didn't

[@fakenamejones4254]

I hope they don't, that's how you turn a fun passion project into a daily grind

[@justinm9832]

@@fakenamejones4254 he doesn't* Not "they". As "they" refers to a group of people, not a singular person.

[@fakenamejones4254]

@@justinm9832 they can also be used as a non gendered singular

[@justinm9832]

@@fakenamejones4254 That is not true

[@BreninCyhyr]

​@@justinm9832 i agree

[@Thatnamibian]

I’d love to see a video on Namibian trucking if possible. Namibian trucking is a very large industry.

[@Thatnamibian]

It's such a large part of our country.

[@jamessmithjr.2222]

I agree!

[@ogone1465]

Not on the same scale

[@user-ji6up7ic7e]

Not really. Your economy and industry size is tiny compared to SA. You guys are not even as rich as some of SA's provinces.

[@liquidsweg4858]

Ah the 10th south African province Well was

[@Rambo454]

Still waiting for the episode of the trucking culture of Finland :)

[@BasedDep]

And Poland!

[@SlapStyleAnims]

@@BasedDep Can’t wait for that one. I love Poland😍🇵🇱

[@iamthedevilsadvocate]

Jessööör suomi perkl

[@PavltheRobot]

Yeah, Finland and Poland would make a great episodes

[@10hawell]

​@@SlapStyleAnims I hope he talks about size of Polish trucking outside of Poland, in the rest of EU.

[@bongumenzibhengu159]

thank you so much man i never thought my country will ever be in one of your videos when i subscribed🙂

[@jmcvlam]

It is really nice to see something about South Africa that is accurate for a change. Thank you for pronouncing the province names correctly.

[@michaelbotha371]

There are some inaccuracies pertaining to speed and length limits. 100 is for buses, 80 is for vehicles with GVM over 3500kg. The absolute max length is 22.5m, not 26m. Any longer than 22.5 is classified as abnormal and is subjected to the abnormal load permit system to be legal.

[@davidhammond3189]

You make awesome videos. They are like the "how its made" of the transport industry.

[@philipvantonder4992]

I’m so glad you did a video on SA trucking!

[@AdamsYoutubeAccount]

I know it's not a country but could Maine please make it on the list? It has such a rich history of logging, a unique culture and topography for the US, and a very interesting trucking culture!

[@pendantblade6361]

Another week another relaxing trucking video!

[@The-Urban-Goose]

Christ, the dude at 05:09 was driving like me in ETS2, what an absolute bellend

[@MrKrips]

I love your work, sir, cheers

[@lukebryce]

My dad always tells me that south africa produces the best drivers because we have to be on constant alertness for bad drivers

[@gpm9333]

I've driven most of the highways in south Africa and lots of smaller roads. Amazing experience.

[@nicobotha2195]

nice point of view from outside, friendly, i like that.. good review

[@Spuddy22]

Amazing vids mate! Only thing im watching on yt rn

[@mcspikesky]

Thanks for taking my suggestion!

[@AHMJoy]

I’d love to see a video talking about specific goods movers. Like the history of the cement truck, similar to your street sweeper video

[@Spherz]

Best series on youtube at this point not gonna lie

[@blackwidowrsa]

I've been waiting for this one.

[@thatdudeghosty6817]

Wild that I could recognize or pinpoint where some of that footage might be from Trucks going 80 on the highway is just pain when you're running late

[@Andries349]

IT'S SHOWTIME 6 to 6 24/7 day and night always on the road we keep left pass right we keep moving, WE THE BEST DRIVERS, WE DON'T RUSH 🚛🇿🇦

[@msawenkosintando1463]

You are doing a great job drigo i see your videos here 👌👏 from Estcourt

[@Andries349]

@@msawenkosintando1463 let the show begin Haha it's ShowTime my brother danko

[@TFSgaming12]

I love it! Keep up the good work Yukon and could we get a Hawaii trucking world? I know it's a US state but it's like no other

[@felixolauzzon]

Love this series of trucking videos, if you feel like doing it, I would tip Sweden as the next video!

[@dethray1000]

hurry before russia nukes sweden

[@clintonzuma680]

Thank you so much for making the video man, really loved it !!!

[@shaynewarren5076]

As an ex South African trucker who follows the industry daily, I am staggered that there is still a trucking industry with the amount of crime and reckless driving resulting in the road carnage that is a daily affair..

[@for-hd7en]

Hi Yukon, Loved the content. I would like to see Pakistan next for they huge culture around trucks. Please keep it up and looking for the next one.

[@Hiperruimteindustriee]

Nice to hear about my home nation!

[@finn2139]

Maybe do a video on norwegian truckers? that would be awesome as i am a learner/apprentice right now myself :)

[@dominicmburu5743]

Huge fan of your channel. Can u do Kenya?

[@southafricancarlover8666]

The truck brand varies on location. I usually see more internationals in North West.

[@zephynum]

Great video :) I suggest making one about Mexico!

[@zephynum]

it's march

[@gabrielfraser2109]

You could have also touched on the SA Taxi industry, an interesting phenomenon in it's own right. Since SA is fairly poor but very urbanized, most people rely on 18 seat minibus taxis for transportation. Driving these taxis is the single largest employer of black men in the country, and there are significant political implications. Also, we have taxi turf wars. Lots of shootouts and stabbings to control territory.

[@robertsharonbonaretti2525]

Taxi bosses are mafia

[@jdftrains3507]

Im surprised you didn't mention the collapse of south Africa's railway network which coincided with the rise of trucking.

[@Oupa266]

Dankie man

[@C4Cole05]

Best part of this is the taxi going straight on a turn left only lane in the first 15 seconds, yep, thats SA

[@doughbird4356]

Will you do videos about other transport systems like with ships or cargo planes?

[@Ayaan1386]

That will be interessting.

[@quentinduplessis748]

As a South African, this was such a great and objective video. Well done on the research and keeping to the facts.

[@user-ff5cd4mn6w]

Interesting thumbnail of a New Zealand Freightliner with a Gauteng number plate... I didn't know Owens operated in SA!

[@HexaSquirrel]

"South Africa is a moderately sized nation" *Laughs in European. That moderately sized nation is 5x the size of mine

[@andyrice6567]

If you can, I'd love to see the environment and culture of trucking in Mexico!

[@slimflamer]

Thank you Yukon for the consistent W vids

[@lorenv44]

Yes, I'm happy to see trucks moving on our roads. If they weren't our economy would grind to a halt. Keep on trucking ❤🇿🇦

[@michaelbotha371]

As a retired SA truck driver I need to point out a few errors in this video. In SA the 100km/h speed limit is only applicable to long distance passenger buses. As for goods vehicles the weight of the cargo being hauled is irrelevant concerning speed limits. If a vehicle is registered lower than 3500kg GVM (gross vehicle mass) the applicable speed limit is whatever the limit is on the road being travelled on. If a vehicle is registered over 3500kg GVM the applicable speed limit is 80Km/h or whatever the limit is on the road being travelled on if that it is lower than 80. The only speed limit that was changed was somewhere in the early 2000's when the limit for buses was reduced from 120km/h to 100, following a number of fatal bus accidents over a short period of time. Concerning the length limits, no vehicle or combination of vehicles may measure over 22.5 meters, not even if it is pulling "B Doubles" (we call them inter links or super links if it has 6 + 12 m trailers).Which is why you will rarely see conventional prime movers pull "B Doubles". The exrta length of a conventional almost always pushes over 22.5m when hooked up to a "B Double" set. Regarding height restrictions I stand corrected, but I believe it to be 4.1m, not 4.3m. However if a vehicle exceeds these dimensional limits the operator needs to apply for and obtain special permits (per trip) to legally operate them. These permits mandates extra safety measures like special abnormal load signage, marked escort vehicles front and back, no night driving (no exceptions), even lower speed limits and compulsory pre-determined route plans. These measures are determined by the size, weight, destination and type of the cargo to be hauled, so they will differ from trip to trip, which is why they need to be applied for for each trip.

[@LegoWormNoah101]

What's the deal with hotshots? Specifically your video on them. It comes and goes like my energy during the day

[@andrebots4224]

First time watching your channel, I've got a question for you. I live in South Africa and in the past 10 years I've not seen a weigh bridge in operation. The other fun fact you missed is that the main routes might be ok-ish the most secondary roads are now falling apart in most of the country.

[@dethray1000]

shett hole country--graft,grifters,corruption everywhere like ukraine

[@user-ji6up7ic7e]

Weighbridges work just fine. I see them operational daily.

[@heart0fthedrag0n]

Love the series, I learned a lot of interesting stuff about the countries you feature, even though I have been to some of them. Could you do a video on trucking in the Balkans? I feel there would be quite a few interesting and unusual features of trucking in that part of Europe (like the frequent border passings and queues for trucks between countries).

[@MS-dp2qg]

There is something you haven't mention. Almost all countries in Southern Africa use South Africa as export and import hub

[@h.m.5724]

That's why you South Africans need to travel to other countries so as to not vomit nonsense like you just did

[@VideoDotGoogleDotCom]

Trucking somewhere in the Andes region? The mountain roads there are insane, although AFAIK some of the most dangerous routes now have new, safer alternatives.

[@Fismies]

We need a video on finland.

[@xyclonez-135]

I'm waiting for Thailand trucking, I hope you will make it soon

[@AFinnGundam]

Good video Finland trucking video when

[@Nobi36]

Sick

[@laurynndlovu2516]

I'm actually doing a very important assignment on commercial vehicles in South Africa and this came at right time...I can't thank you enough

[@trd710]

Kenwoth is not in SA but westernstar is... however you will find the odd ken or pete that was imported. We are facing many issues in the trucking industry here however for the most part the criminal issues are mostly exaggerated/inflated in number and as for bad driving let me tell you 90% of drivers are terrifying behind the wheel( minibus taxis being the worst followed closely by side tipper trucks and intermodal trucks). the road conditions are not so bad here unless you hit certain types of locations and rural areas( mostly dirt road) can be harsh if not maintained or graded regularly. Most common layout here are B-Link with COE tractors( usual long distance truck) with platform trucks with A-link trailers around rural areas( usually shorter distance trucks) and platform trucks(found in cities mostly). Common crime surrounding trucks/trucking industry is looting of cargo, theft of spare wheels and batteries, robberies of drivers(usually around rest stops), hijacking is not very common, violence within the industry between local drivers and foreign drivers not to mention the major issue around bribery/corruption with law enforcment officials and border agents. Requirements for driving trucks here are code 10 licence for smaller to medium platform/dump trucks and code 14 for bus and horse and trailer trucks all require a PDP( Proffesional driving permit on top of licencing). Truck drivers here have a spectacular view from their office window especially long distance drivers.

[@doncoleman4938]

I was wondering that. Here In Australia we have probably a 50/50 mix of European and US brand trucks.

[@trd710]

@@doncoleman4938 our mix i would recon is more towards euro trucks( mostly Man,scania and volvo) but eagle 9800 and 9800i is our predominent american truck with argosy taking a very close second... we also have a 90+% COE rate due to length restriction. Love Australian trucks by the way.

[@Iustin_cox]

nice video but can you gonna do romania next ?

[@joachimmikalsen1676]

Is this presentation about export embargoes or road accidents? Just asking.

[@musamlangeni3140]

Interesting

[@ShyGuy23751]

You should talk about the cow/pig haulers

[@trevorpokela6962]

Only cab overs are allowed to be sold here. I have only seen recovery and special transport with noses in the front

[@thelenster7697]

Hey, I'm from south africa, just wanted to let you know that you got the border wrong. But very cool video, thank you :D

[@DollyBoy_1923]

Video two of recommending a Faroe Islands video.

[@HusieK576]

What about Poland/Czech/Slovakia or former Warsaw Pact Members trucking industry in the next video?

[@kwanelezondi9857]

B-doubles we call them Superlinks here in SA

[@JOSWAY787]

I saw this documentary about trucking in Papua New Guinea which is considered the most dangerous country in the world for truckers… And mannnn I can understand why they say that now!

[@skyjumper0818]

Can you do Germany next?

[@pitsosebiloane6639]

I saw my favorite trucker in this video ..."Drigo"..💪

[@kalebbruwer]

5:08 Last year a truck just like that one pulled that same stunt and killed 18 children as a result. It's terrifying to see someone drive something that big that recklessly

[@sillygoose3611]

The Discord link in the description has expired, fyi

[@Yukon.]

It's been updated, sorry!

[@BrutallisWarhorse]

I used to be a long distance truck driver for two years here in South africa, and I can say with all honesty, to the companies who employ them, the drivers are treated as a number, and most if not all companies have a very lax view of the driving hours you will be doing with regards to the maximum time you will be driving each day. My standard day, started at 4am and ended at 11pm, every day. I also only got 3 days off in a month, meaning all the money I had earned, was almost completely useless to me, basically just numbers on my banking app, because it doesn't make logical sense to buy anything worth while,seeing as you will never really be using or seeing the things that you buy that isn't in the truck with you.

[@AdmiralDantheman]

My old truck (UK) got put in a shipping container and sent to south Africa a couple weeks ago

[@stefanvanveenendaal5741]

It probably won't be registered in SA, more likely unboxed and registered in eSwatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe or Zambia, where "grey imports" are allowed. Hope it has a good second lease on life here!

[@mikeisaacs2314]

I like you split the weights

[@max24608]

Yukon Why not talk about trucking in Colombia since this is very interesting I recommend you talk about it I am from there

[@quintoncharls1901]

As a South African I’m glad to see a positive and well researched video from an international creator. People often make this country out to be a bad place and it’s truly quite the opposite 🇿🇦❤

[@robertabrahams7593]

....sometimes. 😢

[@planetfourthreich3022]

Besides white genocide ,and TENS of thousands of wild animals what are slaughtered annually for quick profit...

[@leonardtadford6443]

He misquoted the maximum speed limit for trucks and there is no statute maximum drivers hours found anywhere in the national road traffic act.

[@dethray1000]

africa is a shett hole,dangerous country

[@visekual6248]

How common are scania in the US? I know they're not officially sold, but I imagine being the only modern truck available with a V8 they're quite desirable among enthusiasts.

[@CharlesRevis1]

Cant really import anything to the USA unless its older then 25 years (this is for regular cars so maybe different for machinery), this is done to protect US brands from international competition.

[@visekual6248]

@@CharlesRevis1 I know, but my favorite Scania, 143m, was discontinued in 98 and has V8 engines up to 500hp

[@OkieOtaku]

Can't say it really exists at all... I'm the US, there are no overall length restrictions, only trailer length. Therefore, cabovers are not present outside of much older, long out of production, privately owned units, and even then they are super rare to ever see just for the American brands that exist. They lack any real living space, and as such are impractical for the average long haul driver in NA who spend weeks at a time on the road, living in the trucks. Same reason in AU why road train trucks are more commonly of the conventional cab design over the cabovers. We driver's spend lots of time literally living in the trucks, so we want to be comfortable. Now if they came out with a conventional cab design, like Volvo and Hino have, later of which only makes up to medium duty trucks in NA, they could prove to make an impact here. Would be interesting Signed, A veteran NA truck driver

[@CharlesRevis1]

@@OkieOtaku what I don't understand is why there aren't cab overs with just really big sleeper cabs? I get that maintenance is easier on a conventional but is still easily done on a cabover

[@MikeV8652]

I've never seen one here. According to Wikipedia, Scania tried the US market beginning in 1985, but sold only a few hundred trucks over a period of two to three years. They were marketed only in New England, because Scania thought conditions there more closely resembled those in Europe.

[@Low760]

Thier rules are tighter than Australia. Did you go into this much detail for Australia?

[@drewthetrainlover5652]

Could you do China next?

[@TeboxYT]

Chilean trucking next please 🥺?

[@nyashakchirume6334]

Used my boy Drigo's clipa in here🎉

[@urmomsbestfriend]

this is a petition for a video about trucking in argentina

[@Balakov100]

Working hours for drivers are identical to the Rules in the US.

[@MikeDCWeld]

If I owned a trucking company in South Africa I'd definitely have a pair of Tatas in my fleet!

[@DatDudePlays]

Day 10 for asking Colombia to be documented on the trucking world series.

[@johnraymond1417]

Can you do Zambia next

[@Ooooooooooo0ooooooo]

In Eastern cape they are bad drivers here and do not stop in rEd lights

[@locafruci1273]

Could you do el salvador trucking?

[@MikeDCWeld]

I was surprised to learn that their Hours of Service regulations are nearly identical to those in the US. The one big regulation that American truckers have that I didn't hear in here is that we can't drive for more than 8 hours without taking at least a 30 minute break from driving.

[@michaelbotha371]

Don't be fooled by the info in this video. The 14 hours of service limit mentioned here is incorrect and is actually 15 hours, but this limit is more a limit pertaining to basic conditions of employment across all industries to try and keep people from working too much overtime and getting too little rest in general. it is by no means strictly enforced anyway. I seriously doubt that there is a regulation in legislation that limit the time one can drive continuously without a rest period, and if there is, it is never enforced by DOT. In the trucking industry in SA there has been very little hours of service enforcement from government since at least the early 1980's and absolutely nothing since the new government took over in 1994. Drivers here often gets pushed to ridiculous limits by greedy bosses. There are a very few exceptions. The operators who stands to loose the most with accidents, like the fuel/gas tanker and dedicated dangerous goods operators and a very select few general goods operators usually enforce adequate hours of service rules on their own drivers and they tend to be the ones who offer better salaries and benefits too. The last company I worked for before retiring had us taking a 15 min break after every 2 hours of driving. These companies drive safer working practices where one would expect this to be government's responsibility.

[@ThatGuyQbic]

This is such a great video, But heres a fact. My dad also works at a mining company called Maxam. And My dad Was a A Manager at a mine,When He heard One of his truck Drivers Went Head On Into another truck killing both people. ;

[@yashfiuqesybr]

Please, Do Bangladeshi Trucks when possible. Thanks

[@RAJESHCHANDRAN-ik6kv]

🙏

[@ridwaansaloojee5535]

The hijacking clip wasn't a truck though, that was an attempted cash in transit heist

[@user-ji6up7ic7e]

Of a van