Are you ready to assist in a roadside emergency?
Are you prepared, in the unfortunate event of an accident, to get out of your own car and assist?
With hundreds of accidents happening daily on our roads, the chances of you witnessing an accident are high, according to the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) – an association affiliated to the Retail Motor Industry (RMI).
“Are you prepared, in the unfortunate event of an accident, to get out of your own car and assist?” asked Dewald Ranft, chairman of MIWA.
He added, “Most motorists are ill-prepared to really help. Very few motorists have a first-aid kit or a small fire extinguisher in their cars. Yet these items could make all the difference in an accident situation.”
While he recognised the fact that the ordinary motorist is not a paramedic, “a small first-aid kit contains some basic items that could be very helpful, including a pair of gloves, an essential before handling any open wounds,” he advised.
A small fire extinguisher is also worth considering.
“There have been several reported incidents during the last few years of vehicles that have caught fire and literally burnt to the ground. Having a fire extinguisher in the vehicle could possibly have assisted in stopping these fires in the early stages.”
Dewald encouraged motorists to invest in a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher for their cars. “These items are inexpensive and readily available,” he said. “Ask your local workshop owner where to find them.”
He added that it is also important to have emergency numbers on hand.
“Save a few emergency numbers on your phone. Three worth having are: Nationwide emergency response – 10111, Ambulance – 10177 and cellphone emergency line – 112.”
“Let’s all work together to make our roads safer,” he concluded.
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