An immeasurable contributor to the number of fatalities could easily be the poor mechanical condition of vehicles on our roads, believes Vishal Premlall, Director of the Motor Industry Workshop Association.
“We are reeling from the 1700 odd deaths on our roads over the festive season, many of which could have been avoided if vehicles had been serviced ahead of the holiday rush.”
Premlall believes there is a way to overcome this through compulsory roadworthy testing. “An introduction of compulsory, periodic roadworthy testing is long overdue. Unassuming consumers need to be regularly educated on the condition of the car they drive.”
However, in the absence of compulsory roadworthy testing, Premlall strongly urges drivers to take these death toll numbers as a wake-up call and to get into the habit of regularly servicing their vehicles. He points out that many workshops, including MIWA workshops, offer free vehicle checks ahead of the holidays but many South Africans still choose not to take advantage of these offers. “The sad reality is that these drivers then not only endanger themselves on our roads but also the drivers around them who may have done the right things and had a service. More needs to be done to bring these senseless deaths to an end. As was pointed out in the media this week, the number of deaths per week equates to more deaths than those reported in war zones. It’s scary,” he says.
He recommends keeping a close eye on your car’s manual and schedule maintenance accordingly. “Even better, set a recurring reminder on your phone to get your vehicle checked annually. Keeping up with your car’s recommended maintenance schedule can help avoid costly problems with the cooling system, drivetrain, suspension and other components, for example.”
He also encourages drivers to ensure their car is serviced by a reputable workshop that only uses quality oil, fluids and parts. “While it might sound like an attractive option to service your car for as cheaply as possible, make sure you understand that the financial implications in the long run will outweigh the apparent short term benefit.”
In addition to regular maintenance, he points out that motorists should use a workshop to do regular checks of their vehicle to extend its life. One is regularly checking the level of fluids in the vehicle, such as the antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. “Even if the car doesn’t leak fluids, it can develop a leak quite quickly which results in dangerously low levels of fluids. It’s also important to change the oil regularly as this will improve mileage and protect the engine. Naturally it’s important to change the oil filter as well – there is no sense in putting clean oil through a dirty filter, and filters are affordable and available at any parts store.”
Premlall also advises drivers to monitor the thickness of the vehicle’s brake pads to prevent the pads from wearing down to metal. Proper tyre inflation will help the tyres handle better and last longer, and it will help get the most out of a tank of petrol. It’s also a good idea to have the tyres regularly checked for wear and to rotate the tyres often as it reduces uneven wear and tear on the tread.
“But most of all, don’t ignore small problems. Pay close attention to a vehicle’s noises and also to its warning lights and even cosmetic things, like a piece of rubber trim that’s loose. Ignoring a problem only allows it to get worse, and parts for aging vehicles are often difficult to locate.”
“We all need to do what we can to ensure our roads become safer. Making sure your vehicle is roadworthy is a good first step,” he concludes.
