The ten finalists of the NK Safest Driver 2019 are known. The second semifinal of the NK was held on Saturday in Gilze, North Brabant, on the property of salvage company Van Eijck Groep. The day was presented by TV presenter Hélène Hendriks, ambassador of the TVM Awards.
Sixty Dutch professional drivers were tested on, among other things, professional knowledge, responsiveness and mental and physical condition. The best ten participants then also followed a practical exercise with a high degree of difficulty. Ultimately, five professional drivers managed to get a starting ticket for the national finals NK Safest Chauffeur on Saturday 26 October at the TT Circuit in Assen.
The finalists are: John Kersten (Haps), Alain Voorhout (Geldrop), Danny Henskens (Berghem), René de Baat (Klaaswaal) and Martin Kolff (Dirksland). Last weekend, the first semi-final battle already took place in Rijssen, in Overijssel, at transport company Nijhof Wassink. There, the following five drivers already earned a starting ticket for the final: Martijn Hofman (Rijssen), Marco Dijkstra (Leeuwarden), Edwin Maljaars (Voorthuizen), Andre Dillerop (Emmen) and Martijn Klink (Meppel)
The NK is part of the TVM Awards, the new initiative of TVM insurance to improve transport and road safety. More than a thousand professional drivers participate in the NK Safest Chauffeur 2019. In the first online phase of the competition, they had to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through knowledge tests and reaction tests. In addition, their driving behavior was measured via a mobile app. The 120 best drivers qualified for the two semi-finals. The winner of the final in Assen on October 26 deserves - in addition to the honor and the TVM Award - a trip for two to Brazil.
Television presenter Hélène Hendriks, ambassador of the TVM Awards
“I enjoyed seeing how involved all participants are in the theme of road safety. The number of fatal accidents unfortunately rose again in the Netherlands last year. We have to change that and all road users have a role in this. Because human behavior plays a role in ninety percent of all fatal accidents. That is why awareness of safe driving behavior is so important. I am a lot on the road myself and see plenty of crazy things happening around me, but I must say, I genuinely have a lot of respect and appreciation for truck drivers. In practice they often know how to prevent accidents, for example by anticipating unexpected situations well and in good time. ”
The TVM Awards NK Safest Driver is made possible in part by partners Volvo Trucks Nederland, Van Eijck Groep, Continental, Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN), Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VVN) and Advance Groep.
“Dutch professional drivers are among the safest transporters in Europe, we can be proud of that. At TVM, we have been committed to transport safety for decades, including through our prevention policy. The initiative of the TVM Awards is in line with this. We work with partners for whom road safety - just like TVM - is really in the DNA. From the collective we want to radiate that road safety concerns us all and at the same time also show our appreciation to all professional drivers who keep our economy running day in, day out by means of safe transport ”, says Frank Woestenburg, manager corporate communication TVM insurance.
Also read: First finalists NK Safest Chauffeur 2019 are known
