Drive safe at all times
JOBURG – Former National Traffic Police chief gives motorists tips to help stay alive.
At the release of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) annual report in September, on road accidents, for the year 2014 and 2015, the Department of Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said 4 500 people died on SA roads.
She revealed that new road fatality statistics have shown 80 per cent of the deaths on the country’s roads comprise adults and males between the ages of 19 and 34.
The former National Traffic Police Chief David Tembe said that the idea of thoroughly checking vehicle features should not be a thing to do only when you have to drive a long distance, or for festive seasons, but should be done regularly as part of your vehicle maintenance.
Tembe, who is now the CEO of Mandlati Group, said that it is the responsibility of the driver to make sure that the vehicle is at all times fit for the road.
According to Tembe, drivers must have basic first aid training.
“I am of the view that each and every vehicle must have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, blanket and a five-litre bottle of water,” Tembe said.
He went on to say that many people have lost their lives through severe bleeding at the scene of an accident.
“By the time an ambulance arrives, the patient would have been already stabilised through the use of [a first aid] kit.”
Tembe further said that there are too many distractions these days such as tweeting, texting, and talking without using hands-free sets.
“Eating, smoking and changing of CDs or DVDs are some of the things that distract motorists,” he said.
He advised against smoking while driving because accidents are also caused by dropping cigarettes while driving.
Tembe also said that to avoid driver fatigue, before taking a long trip at night, you must have a good rest of at least six hours or share the responsibility of driving.
He insisted that people must adhere to the prescribed speed limit.
“Never ever give a lift to strangers because that is how people get robbed of their vehicles,” he cautioned.
He also told parents to never leave their children in the vehicle while stopping at a filling station.
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