Hit the road, not the traffic

This week’s long weekend and the Easter long weekend poses the perfect time to get away from the city and for this reason it is one of the few times in the year that the roads are extra busy.

The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, suggested drivers adhere to these tips while on the road to ensure a safe trip:

• Do not text or talk on your cellphone
• Take regular breaks to avoid fatigue
• Avoid loud music that could distract you from the road
• Ensure that you wear your safety belt at all times
• Keep to the recommended speed limit
• Keep a safe distance of four seconds from the car in front of you.

However, a safe drive starts before you even leave your home. Muluadzi said motorists should sleep at least eight hours before a long trip. Additionally, check the car’s road worthiness, fluids, spare wheel, headlights, windscreen wipers, mirrors and brakes.

Les McMaster, the chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (Miwa) offered these tips to ensure a safer drive:

• Don’t read, eat, change clothes or groom yourself while driving
• Don’t allow passengers to distract you. Ensure small children are buckled up before your departure and if they require attention during the trip, rather pull over to assist them
• Don’t let animals roam around the vehicle freely, rather put them in a pet carrier, which is properly restrained
• Create a playlist with your favourite music so you don’t have to look for songs
• Let your friends and family know you will not answer any phone calls or texts when you are on the road.

“Let’s all work together to make our roads a safer place,” McMaster said.

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