Stay safe when driving over the Easter holidays
Every month, far too many people die on South African roads as a result of irresponsible driving or excessive speeding. Being informed of safe driving behaviours can help reduce the country's accidents and death rate.
Easter holidays are around the corner and most families will be departing to different destinations. Fidelity Services Group urges motorists to install a car tracking system as hijackings and kidnappings are a stark reality in Gauteng.
“It is a sad reality that many vehicles get hijacked every day. The Q3 crime stats released by the SAPS recently showed that around 66 cars are hijacked daily – an increase of 6.5% in the same period in 2022. The provinces of Gauteng, the Western Cape, and the North West saw noticeable increases in increases in hijackings,” says Bartmann.
The number of deaths related to Easter holidays increased by 37 percent from 184 in 2022 to 252 in 2023. North-West and Western Cape were the only provinces that recorded a decrease in fatalities at 50 percent and 34 percent respectively during Easter 2023. The highest increase was Kwa-Zulu Natal at 132 percent followed by Free State at 122%.
Basic safety steps that drivers should remember to ensure they and their passengers reach their destinations safely.
• Driving at safe speeds.
• Never operate a vehicle while intoxicated.
• Avoid any kind of distraction that takes your eyes and concentration away from the road.
• Never use your cellphone while driving.
• Test the vehicle’s roadworthiness before you set off on any long journey.
Fidelity Services Group offers vehicle telematics systems and car trackers such as Fidelity SecureDrive, that drivers can use for real-time tracking and to check their vehicle movements. This car tracker can help drivers locate their cars in case of car theft or hijacking. It also helps parents to monitor the driving habits of their children to ensure good driving behaviour.
“Safe driving starts with awareness and preparedness. As a driver, you have the responsibility for the safety of those who share the road with you,” says Bartmann.
