Appeal for road safety
RANDBURG – Unroadworthiness labelled as one of main causes for high Easter death toll.
Following 193 deaths on roads in South Africa during the Easter weekend, the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) has asked motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.
The death tally was recently made public by Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters, who cited the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) figure of 148 accidents between 17 to 21 April, resulting in 193 deaths nationwide (down from 241 last year).
“The carnage we continue to experience on our road is instigated by a number of factors mostly embedded in human behaviour and vehicle factor,” she said.
According to the workshop association’s chairperson Les Mc Master unroadworthy vehicles were one of the main factors that led to these deaths on the road in Easter, and he advised motorists have their vehicles regularly checked for roadworthiness and familiarise themselves with what constitutes a roadworthy vehicle.
“A roadworthy certificate can be obtained from any private or public vehicle testing station for your peace of mind,” he said.
The roadworthiness test includes checks on the following aspects of the vehicle: identification and documentation, electrical systems, fittings and equipment (including mirrors and safety belts), braking system, wheels and tyre condition, suspension and undercarriage, steering, engine, exhaust system, transmission and drive, instruments and vehicle dimensions.
“You reduce the chance of experiencing a break down or causing an accident due to the compromised condition of your car if these aspects of your vehicle are checked.”
The association’s Highveld region chairperson, Elvio Jardim, whose workshop is situated in Olivedale, accorded.
“People should have things in their cars checked before going on holiday,” he said.
“Especially lightbulbs [globes] and brakes. People service about three months before going away and assume everything is fine. But you can’t know for sure. We do free safety checks for motorists from a month before the holiday period.”
Details: Motor Industry Workshop Association Highveld region chairperson Elvio Jardim 011 794 8981, autoway@telkomsa.net
