Holiday season safety tips for motorists

As one of the busiest periods for road users approaches, the country’s roads are expected to be chaotic over Easter.

Last year, transport minister Ben Martins said preliminary figures indicated that 201 fatal crashes were recorded in which at least 241 people died over the Easter holidays.

He added that road incidents were largely due to drinking and driving, fatigue, speeding and also being distracted while driving.

According to the Arrive Alive South Africa, the upcoming Easter holidays is the most challenging in the road traffic management calendar.

The organisation has offered some tips for motorists to make the journey a little easier:

• Plan the route to your destination and allow enough time to reach the destination – taking into account many road works and delays along the route.

• Ensure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure.

• Do not overload the vehicle.

• Try to avoid driving after dark if possible.

• Have a good rest before you embark on your journey and have an energy drink by your side.

• Take safety breaks/rest stops every two hours or 200km.

• Don’t drink and drive.

• Try to establish potential safety hazard such as dangerous drivers and pedestrians alongside the road and keep clear of them.

• Be visible – drive with your lights on.

• Headlights should be dipped well before an approaching vehicle is within range of the main beam.

• Always wear your seatbelt and check to see that everyone in the car is wearing theirs.

• Drive defensively with a focus on safety for all road users.

• Stay within the speed limit at all times.

• Only overtake when it is absolutely safe to do so. When in doubt – Don’t.

• Avoid distractions such as your cellphone while driving.

• Maintain at least a two second following distance – this distance should be increased at night, in foggy or rainy conditions and when the road is wet.

• Be courteous towards fellow road users – keep your temper and resist the temptation to retaliate.

• Be alert to changing road and weather conditions.