Keeping your tyres, car and yourself in check this Easter

As has been the case for a number of years, the annual Easter weekend, which kicks-off this coming Friday (7 April) and runs until Monday (10 April), will see road volumes on the country’s highways and byways increase as many South Africans head towards their holiday destinations or visit family in other provinces.

In recent years, only second after the December holidays in road fatalities, 2021 saw 235 motorists lose their lives during the Easter weekend.

Busy roads

Unsurprisingly, the N1 between Gauteng and Limpopo will attract the biggest attention as thousands of pilgrims head towards Moria for the Zion Christian Church’s celebration of Easter.

The second road of interest will be the N3 from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal, followed by the N2 from the Eastern Cape along the Garden Route to the Western Cape, the N14 between Gauteng and North West and the N12 that runs from Gauteng to Mpumalanga.

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Before the festivities commence though, those travelling by road need to take stock of their vehicles and the road they will be travelling on, something Sumimoto Rubber South Africa, the importers for Sumimoto, Dunlop and Falken tyres, has already taken care off by advising the following:

First things first, check your tyres

Make sure your tread depths and tyre pressures are correct, and that the condition of the spare wheel is good in the case of it requiring usage.

Take note of whether an emergency toolkit with a wheel spanner, jack and triangle is present in the boot of your vehicle, and if the tyres on your vehicle are devoid of bulges or visible signs of damage.

Rotate your tyres frequently in order to avoid an uneven ware rate, and check that they are regularly inflated as this improves grip, aids fuel consumption and betters handling.

Besides paying careful attention to the tyres’ age of not much than five years, make sure you have taken-out insurance that could prove invaluable should you be the victim of potholes or poor road surfaces.

Consider these too

In addition to tyres, motorists should also take apply the following:

• Plan your route and take breaks every two hours to avoid fatigue.
• Make sure your vehicle is fully road legal.
• Keep your concentration and avoid distractions from outside and by passengers inside.
• Always buckle-up before setting off.
• Keep a safe following distance and always adhere to the speed limit.
• Now matter the pace, never overtake on a barrier or yellow line.
• Don’t drink and drive behind the wheel.
• In order to be vigilant, conduct your journey during the daytime instead of at night.

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