Travel safely this festive season

According to the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa over 135 000 people have lost their lives in road accidents over the past decade. This has been declared ‘a national crisis’ by the AA and comes at a time when road safety is a challenge for the transport system in our country.

Brett Ferreira, the franchise executive at Midas said it was natural to feel somewhat anxious before leaving on a long journey to your holiday destination. “Most of us have reached burnout and desperately need a holiday promising rest and relaxation, yet we’re concerned about the potential risks associated with a long drive on busy South African roads,” said Ferreira.

Midas offered the following tips on how to prepare and embark on a long drive with optimal safety in mind:

• Prepare, prepare, prepare: Make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip. It’s easy to overlook low tyre tread or a slight steering pull in the grinding last few weeks of the working year. Small issues like wheel alignment or tyres taking pressure from an increased load, easily become larger (even fatal), ones. So, factor in time to prepare.

• Buckle up and check your safety features: Safety belts are critical for every passenger, no matter where they sit. The instruction to “Buckle up” is non-negotiable. Statistics show that wearing a seatbelt makes all the difference in protecting from possible injury, should an accident occur. Also in reducing injury-severity and saving lives. Younger toddlers and babies need to be strapped safely into an approved car seat and unbuckling for a snack shouldn’t be an option. To help avoid little ones getting restless, place a bag of travel activities within their reach or possibly a tablet with their favourite movies downloaded on it.

• Get a good night’s rest and be at your best: Don’t overdo things the day before you leave. Get at least seven hours sleep the night before. Health-niggles related to your back, eyesight or ability to concentrate, should be seen to prior. Keep your mind fresh on the trip by stopping every 200km or so. Fatigue is one of the biggest dangers on our roads.

• Know your route: Whether you’re using a map, an app or Satnav, know the route and distance you’re taking and keep to familiar ones if possible. If you’re venturing into unknown or remote areas, the factor-in extra time and take emergency supplies like water, snacks and a power bank.

• Defensive driving: Always apply the defensive driving principle. Rather be cautious and look out for other drivers’ erratic behaviour. Statistics show that alcohol is a factor in 58 per cent of road fatalities in SA. Speeding and using a cell phone while driving are other contributing factors.

• Choose the smart speed: Going too fast or too slow can significantly increase the risk of an accident. Go too slow and everyone will want to get past and take chances – putting you into the path of danger. Drive too quickly and you may not able to slow down in time if something goes wrong. It’s safest to stick to the speed limit. Never overtake if you’re not sure you’ll get to the other side safely and always leave a margin for error.

• Drive during the day: Many prefer driving long-distance at night because the roads are quieter. Yet statics show that driving then is a lot more dangerous. There’s obviously a significant decrease in visibility and diminished speed/distance judgement. Also, more drunk drivers. You may contend with more traffic and summer heat when driving during the day, but it’s still, by far, the safest.

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