Top 20 driving and road safety habits worth adopting

Jakkie Olivier, CEO of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), says by adjusting some bad driving habits and adopting new ones you can extend the life of your car, save money and make the roads a safer place.

“We all pick up bad habits or become complacent about certain maintenance requirements and safety checks. Let’s make an effort today to get back on track by taking note of these top 20 tips…”

• Don’t ride the clutch.

• Keep an eye on the gauges and stop immediately at a reputable and accredited repair facility if you suspect there is a problem.

• Tyre pressure should be checked at least once a week when the tyres are cold.

• Stick to service intervals. Regular maintenance assists in keeping the value of the car.

• Read your manual from cover to cover. If you don’t understand anything – ask a professional.

Read: Dealing with car woes? Understand the complaints process

• Take you vehicle to an accredited workshop for repairs.

• Don’t drive slowly in a high gear – it can damage your gearbox.

• Make sure to have a spare tyre in your car and that you check it from time to time.

• Take out comprehensive car insurance.

• Always take a cellphone with you, but don’t use it while driving. Distracted driving, e.g. texting while driving, is one of the greatest causes of accidents.

• Check your fuel levels often and avoid waiting until the last drop to refill. It’s not worth running out of petrol in an unsafe area because you waited too long to refill.

• Keep your doors locked and windows closed.

• Keep valuable items hidden while driving.

• Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers including children.

• Always watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Never offer a lift to strangers.

• If you are going on a long trip, plan ahead to avoid being lost or running out of fuel.

Read: 2020 Car Of The Year jury announced

• Share your route plans with family and friends.

• Stick to speed limits. They are there for a reason.

• Be courteous on the roads. Just because another driver is behaving badly it doesn’t mean you have to behave badly too.

“If you are good to your car, it will be good to you. We strongly encourage all motorists to use RMI-accredited service providers to take care of their second biggest capital investment after their homes, their cars. Not only will you be dealing with a professional but there is recourse through the RMI’s dispute resolution process should you not be entirely satisfied with the service you received. Safe driving,” concluded Olivier.

Have a story?

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts  (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za

or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za

 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za

Remember to visit the Brakpan Herald on the following social media platforms:

Follow us: