SA road carnage: ‘How many more must die?’
Motor Industry Workshop Association asks how many more must die or be injured on our roads.
The recent road accidents that left 20 children dead in Bronkhorstspruit and 16 others injured in Durban should be a major wake-up call, said Vishal Premlall, Director of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA).
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“There is no doubt that an immeasurable contributor to the number of fatalities on our roads is the poor mechanical condition of vehicles. Besides these horrific accidents, we saw 235 people die on our roads during the Easter weekend – a 51 per cent increase on last year’s figure of 156, according to Transport Minister, Joe Maswanganyi. Many of these accidents could have been avoided if vehicles had been serviced.”
Premlall believes compulsory roadworthy testing would go a long way to making a difference.
“The introduction of compulsory, periodic roadworthy testing is long overdue. Unassuming consumers need to be regularly educated on the condition of the car they drive. Commuters would also have the assurance that public transport vehicles were being tested regularly.”
Coupled with this, Premlall said it is crucial that credible roadworthy testers are used and stricter controls on the policing side thereof are implemented.
“However, in the absence of compulsory roadworthy testing, as responsible road users we need to get into the habit of servicing our vehicles regularly.” He pointed out that many workshops, including MIWA workshops, offer free vehicle checks at different times of the year, especially ahead of the holidays.
“If you are aware, you will repair. Sadly, many South Africans still choose not to take advantage of these offers and not only endanger themselves on our roads but also the drivers around them who may have done the right thing and had a service. More needs to be done to bring these senseless deaths to an end – more policing, stricter penalties for violations and more vehicle maintenance,” he said.
He recommended that vehicle owners keep a close eye on the manual and schedule maintenance accordingly. “Keeping up with your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule can help avoid costly problems with the cooling system, drive-train, suspension and other components, for example.”
He also encouraged drivers to ensure their vehicles are serviced by reputable workshops that only use quality oil, fluids and parts. “While it might sound like an attractive option to service your vehicle for as cheaply as possible, make sure you understand that the financial implications in the long run will outweigh the apparent short-term benefit.”
“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 concluded.
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