Who is the safest (truck) driver in the Netherlands? On Saturday 25 September, the TT Circuit of Assen will once again be the setting for the NK Safest Driver. From a field of approximately 1000 truck drivers, 25 men and women have qualified for the national final. They will show their knowledge and skills and have to take a number of challenging practical tests, among other things.
The biggest 'Teabag Challenge' in the Netherlands will probably take place during the final day. The 'Teabag Challenge' has become a real hype in the transport sector in recent months. All visitors to the TT Circuit with a large driver's license can take the test and try to make a cup of tea while driving backwards with a truck plus trailer.
The 25 finalists of the NK Safest Driver 2021 are:
Izaak de Baat (Klaaswaal), Rene de Baat (Klaaswaal), Famke Bos (Maarn), Andre Dillerop (Emmen), Edwin Dorrepaal (Wemeldinge), Roel de Graaf (Heino), Michael van Graafeiland (Zaandam), Henny de Haan ( Oosterland), Danny Henskens (Berghem), Pieter Jacobs (Beuningen), John Kersten (Grave), Yaël Kluitenberg (Barneveld), Martin Kolff (Dirksland), Robert van der Meer (Leusden), Johan Muselaers (Erp), John Peek ( Huissen), Richard Pieters (Hoogeveen), Joffrey Post (Bovenkarspel), Paul Roozen (Hilvarenbeek), Roy Ruesen (Dinxperlo), Gerard Schoenaker (Klarenbeek), Olav van der Stoep (Dordrecht), Mariska Struijs (Heerjansdam), Dirk-Jan Uitbeijerse (Volendam) and Allard Warnders (Linschoten).
The program looks like this:
- 9.00-13.00 hrs rotation program assignments 25 finalists
- 14.00-15.00 final with top three
- 15.00-15.30 TVM Awards ceremony, incl. winner NK Safest Driver
Of course, the final in Assen will be completely 'coronaproof'.
About the Dutch Championship Safest Driver
Road safety is and remains an important theme. Last year there were almost 19.000 road fatalities in Europe. Research shows that human behavior plays a major role in more than 90 percent of the number of accidents; that percentage must and can be reduced.
TVM insurance has been committed to transport safety for decades. The NK Safest Driver is part of the TVM Awards, an initiative of TVM to create more awareness among all road users for safety on the road and at the same time to show appreciation for Dutch professional drivers.
The TVM Awards are supported by a number of involved partners: Volvo Trucks Nederland, VVN, Van Eijck, Sectorinstituut Transport en Logistiek, Continental, BP, ANWB and Advance Groep. On the final day of the Dutch National Championships Safest Driver, the TVM Awards Ridder 2021 and Safe Transport will also be awarded to a driver and a company that have made a positive contribution to road and/or transport safety in the Netherlands.
Helene Hendriks
TV personality Hélène Hendriks has been an ambassador from the start TVM Awards connected. She will also present the final day on 25 September. In addition to the sporting honour, the winner of the Dutch Safest Driver Championship will naturally win the bronze TVM Award. The entire top 25 will also win a visit to the Volvo factory, the Volvo Trucks demo center and the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden.
“One accident on the road is one too many. It is everyone's joint responsibility to further improve road safety. Prevention has been an important pillar of TVM's policy for decades. We create more awareness for safe driving in countless ways, including through the organization of the TVM Awards and the NK Safest Driver. For us and our partners, the Dutch Championship is also a way to give Dutch truck drivers a stage, because they have been among the safest transporters in Europe for many years. That's something to be proud of."