Vital tips for road safety this Easter

The bulk of these deaths could have been avoided if motorists took road safety more seriously.

According to a local insurer, the main offences motorists commit which cause accidents include speeding, dangerous overtaking and ignoring white lines, drunken driving, reckless driving, disregarding stop signs and red traffic lights, turning in the face of oncoming traffic, entering the road in an unsafe manner and turning from the wrong lane.

Also read: 2017 Easter road fatalities increased by 51%

To avoid being a statistic this year, follow these practical tips which have been put together by a local insurer.

Before taking to the road, be sure to check the vehicle’s lights, windows and wipers, wheels and tyres, brakes, suspension, battery, belts and chains, cooling system, filters and fluids, safety and warning equipment, as well as child car seats.

Good driving practice

• Make sure your load is within the vehicle’s capabilities and that it is properly secured.

• Tie a red piece of cloth to the end of any object that protrudes past your vehicle’s edges.

• All trailers are required to have a safety chain, which helps in the event of tow bar failure.

Also read: Infographic: How to be safe on the road this Easter

Do not speed

According to the local insurance app, almost 30 per cent of motorists exceed 140km/h at least once every 10 trips.

The World Health Organisation (Who) states you could save your own or someone else’s life with just a 10km/h decrease in speed.

This small change could reduce fatalities by almost 40 per cent.

• Stop at a red traffic light and stop sign, without fail.

• Do not overestimate your own luck, timing ability or observation skills.

Obey the line, even when lines permit overtaking. Always make double sure that it’s safe to overtake.

Do not drink and drive

SA’s legal limit is a breath alcohol content of 0.24mg per 1 000ml, or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml.

As a rule of thumb, two drinks in one hour will put you over the limit.

Bear in mind that you could still be over the limit the morning after.

Alternate the alcoholic drinks you have with soft drinks or water.

If you’ve been drinking, do not take a chance and rather call a taxi.

Plan your turns, as well as your highway entrances and exits, well in advance to ensure that you get into the correct lane early enough.

Fatigue

• Motorists should get at least seven hours’ sleep before a long-distance trip and avoid travelling during their body’s downtime, which for most people is between 2am and 6am.

• Plan breaks during your trip and do not drive when you’re tired.

Avoid having sugary or fatty snacks, energy drinks and caffeine to keep you going.

Drink lots of water, eat healthy foods and pull over to rest and refresh properly when you need to.

If your car breaks down or you’re involved in an accident:

• Switch on your hazard lights and, if possible and legal, pull into the emergency lane.

• Make sure that your vehicle remains visible and make use of your emergency triangle.

• If you get stuck in a dangerous spot, get out of your vehicle when it is safe to do so and walk carefully to the side of the road.

• Immediately call your insurer for assistance.