Being safe on South African roads this Easter
2017 Easter death toll increased by 51 per cent.
The Easter holidays are upon us and many families across the country will be travelling for hundreds of thousands of kilometres to their destinies.
Unfortunately some never reach those destinations, or return to their homes in one piece. Many lives are lost on the roads, year after year.
According to the former Transport Minister, Joe Maswanganyi, the death toll on South African roads during the 2017 Easter holidays was 235 people, a 51 per cent increase on the 2016 figure, which was 156.
The Arrive Alive Road Safety website advises road users to use the following tips – not only for the Easter, but every day:
• Obey the rules of the road and carry your drivers licence with you.
• Plan the route to your holiday destination and give yourself enough time to reach it.
• For peace of mind, try to stick to major routes or toll roads.
• Do not get stranded without fuel – always plan ahead where you will re-fuel.
• Plan rest stops along the way.
• Always ensure that a friend or family member who is not travelling with you is aware of the route that you are planning to travel.
• Take your vehicle for a full check before embarking on your holiday travels.
• Do not overload your vehicle.
• Have a good rest before you embark on your journey.
• Take safety breaks every 2 hours or 200km.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Buckle up – children too – either in a car seat, booster seat or using the car’s seatbelt, depending on the age and weight of the child.
• Infants between birth and one year of age, or up to 10kg in weight, should travel in a rear-facing car seat in the back of a car.
• Avoid all distractions – keep both eyes on the road and both hands on the steering wheel.
• Always place your valuables in the boot of your car and never leave items such as cellphones and wallets in open sight, unattended, or on the seat of a car.
• Motorists must be aware of pedestrians and animals on the open road, specifically in rural areas.
• Bikers should drive with their lights on and wear protective clothing at all times.
• Bikers should never ride in a truck’s blind spot or “No-Zone”.
• Be extra cautious, and pay attention to the signals and brake lights of other vehicles, especially trucks.
• When cycling during the holidays, remember that there is strength in numbers.
• Travelling with small children can be a challenge. Small children can get bored and irritable on long trips so make sure you pack a variety of their favourite snacks and toys such as portable DVD players, colouring books and crayons.
• If your child tends to suffer from motion sickness and complains of dizziness or nausea, this can be helped by getting out of the car for a bit of fresh air.
• In the event of an accident, determine the extent of the damage or injuries and assess whether or not medical attention is required.
• Take a picture with a camera or mobile phone and file an accident report with the police, as you will need a case number for your insurance company to file a claim.
•Remember to get names, addresses, telephone numbers and ID numbers of everyone involved in the accident.
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