The holiday season is just but a breath away and whether you can afford to go on holiday or not, preparing your car for this season has become part of the annual to do list.
And as Dewald Ranft, chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), says, “It is our responsibility as motorists to do what we can to avoid accidents on our roads during the festive season and servicing your car before a road-trip is one way to do just that,” he says.
The high number of annual road fatalities is just unacceptable.
Layton Beard, head of public affairs and international relations of the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) says 2021 stats available from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) show that in 2021 there were 12 541 fatalities on SA roads (42% pedestrians, 29% drivers, 28% passengers, 1% other, such as cyclists).
Added to this he says, “If one looks specifically at the festive season statistics from 2021/22 (The period under review here is December 1, 2021 to January 11, 2022), there were 1 808 fatalities resulting from 1 395 crashes over this period.”
With Covid now being in the past, it is expected that more families will go away for a holiday and of course, the increase in numbers increases the possibility of accidents.
“What motorists don’t realise is that should maintenance be needed on their vehicle and spare parts are not in stock, these need to be ordered, particularly now when there have been post Covid shortages on parts and delays at the harbours following the recent Transnet strike. This could take several days if they are available at all. It is risky leaving things to the last minute and could put a real dampener on holiday plans,” says Ranft.
Other than checking lights, suspension, fluids, wipers and so forth, tyres should be checked to ensure they are balanced and aligned as this will also influence your fuel consumption.
Dewald Ranft.The other element according to Ranft, is to have your vehicle inspection done by accredited MIWA workshops and TEPA fitment centres. If you book this inspection earlier rather than later, it may actually not cost you money.
“There’s nothing worse than having your holiday plans delayed or cancelled because of car issues. Don’t wait until late November or December. Get organised now,” concludes Ranft.
Source: Cathy Findley PR
