Solaris Bus & Coach and the Polish Automobile Association started a joint training project entitled ‘Safe Driver‘. This project is aimed at raising the level of safety on European roads through improving bus
drivers‘ skills. The first round of trainings was already attended by several dozen drivers from all over Poland.
The goal of the author's program is to teach drivers to quickly identify road risks and to develop and strengthen the ability to react properly in extreme situations. Trainings take place on the autodrome in Sochaczew, which is the largest facility of this type in central Poland and is equipped with two full-size skidpans provided with watering systems. Drivers attending the program train their skills by driving the Solaris Vacanza tourist coach. - We divided our training into a theoretical and a practical part to combine driving practice with discussions about outcomes and the explanation of any questions. Participants study - among other things - the essentials of ergonomics involved in driving, learn about over- and understeering, methods of emergency braking in different conditions and on surfaces with varied adhesion, as well as gain knowledge of different techniques of passing around obstacles on the road - this is how Jerzy Szymłowski, Chairman of the Polish Automobile Association, briefly summarises the training program.
The initiative of Solaris Bus & Coach and Polish Automobile Association is highly praised by participants of trainings conducted within the 'Safe Driver' project. - I think this training is very useful even for very experienced drivers. It makes drivers aware of how difficult it is to control a bus when driving conditions are poor. The training demonstrated that it is not enough to be an experienced driver and certain reactions in critical situations can be trained - says Piotr Polak, a driver with 22 years of experience, currently working for the Mistral company from Krakow.
The first pilot trainings for bus drivers took place already in August 2005. - Our initiative emerged because of expediency. After a series of traffic accidents involving tourist coaches we were shocked, especially when it turned out that most of them were the drivers' fault. These could have been avoided had the drivers been prepaired to cope with emergency situations. - said Solange Olszewska, Vice-president of Solaris Bus & Coach.
Polish carriers have a significant share of passenger transportion on European roads. The passengers‘ safety is obviously a priority of their activities and the methods of ensuring safe travel are also the focus of the competition. For the last three years, ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) has been conducting tests on coaches operating on international lines. The last test, which was conducted on 30 lines, selected at random, took place at the end of 2005. It was Polish carriers who ranked among the first three. The winner was the Sindbad line serviced by the coach owned by Riviera company from Opole, Trans-Expres from Ełk,, operating the Interglobus line (since fall last year) ranked second, and Sindbad lines ranked third. One of the coaches that was awarded an honorary prize in the test conducted by ADAC, was the Solaris Vacanza 12 owned by Trans-Expres from Ełk, who ranked second. The drivers, who were tested without prior notice, reported that the German association experts were impressed by the Polish coach and the standard of services provided by the Polish carrier. Trans-Expres has been operating Solaris Vacanza coaches of the 12 and 13 meters models.
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Information Solaris
Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. is a leading producer of city and intercity buses in Europe. It focuses on the development of low-emission and zero-emission vehicles, i. e. electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses. Over 25,000 Solaris vehicles have been delivered so far and they ply the streets in 850 towns and cities across 33 countries located throughout Europe as well as beyond it. Solaris is part of the Spanish CAF Group (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) S.A. From conception, to the design and manufacturing phases, all Solaris buses are produced in Poland. All activities undertaken by the company are in line with its mission, which is reflected in the brand’s promise: to change the image of public transport. Solaris also actively partners with public transport operators and provides them with comprehensive support in their transition to zero-emission mobility. Solaris products have been repeatedly awarded for quality and innovation. The Urbino 18 hydrogen bus has won the prestigious 'Bus of the Year 2025' title.
Additional information
Mateusz Figaszewski
Institutional Partnerships and External Relations Director
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
