Easter accident stats highlights need for roadworthiness

JOHANNESBURG – Unroadworthy vehicles are one of the main factors that have led to the 193 fatalities on the roads this past Easter. 
This highlights the critical importance of ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy before going out on the road, says Les Mc Master, Chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA.)

Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters reported in an official statement following the Easter Weekend that, according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) preliminary figures, a total of 148 crashes were recorded from April 17 to 21 this year, which resulted in 193 fatalities nationwide. “Road safety, first and foremost, is an individual road user’s responsibility. Once this notion is lost on any road user, the battle against road carnage is undermined. The carnage we continue to experience on our road is instigated by a number of factors mostly embedded in human behaviour and vehicle factor,” she said. 

She went on to list a number of contributing factors that are all in road users’ control, one of which is unroadworthy vehicles. Mc Master advises that motorists should have their vehicles regularly checked for roadworthiness, and familiarise themselves with what constitutes a roadworthy vehicle. “For peace of mind a roadworthy certificate can be obtained from any private or public vehicle testing station.”

The roadworthiness test, among others, checks the following aspects of the vehicle: 

– Identification and documentation
– Electrical systems
– Fittings and equipment (including mirrors, safety belts etc.) .braking system .wheels (including tyre condition) .suspension and undercarriage .steering .engine .exhaust system .transmission and drive, instruments .and vehicle dimensions.

“If these aspects of your vehicle are checked and given the green light, you reduce the chance of either your vehicle breaking down or causing an accident due to the compromised condition of your car. If not, at least you know what it is that needs attention and you can attend to the problem as soon as possible. Remember, when you drive your unroadworthy vehicle onto a public road, you risk the lives of your passengers, other road users and yourself! Compromising the condition of your motor car is not a good practice. Feel free to contact a MIWA workshop close to you for further advice on your vehicle’s health.”