Easter’s a time for bunnies, not crashes

If you are planning to travel far and wide by car this holiday season, Stacey Davidson, director of Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa), advises that tyre safety should be a top priority.

According to Arrive Alive, failure to check tyres is a critical contributing factor to thousands of road accidents every year. Additionally, research by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) shows that nearly 20 per cent of accidents involving minibuses, list tyre failure as a cause.

“There are small habits that motorists can adopt to ensure that they remain safe on the roads,” advised Davidson.

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“These include checking tyres regularly for punctures, cuts and bulges to ensure that they are in good condition for the road.” Motorists also need to take additional care when travelling because of increased traffic volumes, congestion, exhaustion and people driving in unfamiliar environments. It is imperative to be courteous and to take frequent breaks when driving long distances, advised Davidson.

She believes that improving driving habits and tyre maintenance will work towards saving lives during the Easter period. Well-maintained tyres will hold your vehicle securely on the road, allowing it to stop, start and manoeuvre safely. “Redisa would like to encourage all South Africans to change their behaviour and create safer roads,” said Davidson.

Davidson offered some useful tips:

• Check your tyre pressure on a cold start or before a long journey. The correct pressure for the vehicle is found in the operating manual, under the fuel cap, on the inside of the door or in the cubbyhole.
• If your tyre’s sidewall is damaged, replace it. Check regularly for any signs of irregular wear, any sharp objects lodged in the tread and any cuts, tears, cracks or bulges. Check for damage or uneven wear on all four tyres, on both sides of the tyre and on the wheel rims.
• Under-inflated tyres use more fuel, so check the pressure. Take the dust cap off the valve, fix on an accurate pressure gauge and make a note of the result. If the tyre needs extra air, inflate it using an air pump at home. If the tyre is over-inflated according to the pressure chart, allow air to escape while the dust cap is off.
• Check that your tyre pressure is correct and equal. Never rely on the eyeball method to gauge air pressure in tyres. Besides the vehicle’s brakes, the tyres are the most important safety parts of your car.

How will you be keeping safe while travelling this Easter? Share your plans with us by emailing rkg@caxton.co.za