With Tuesday (09/08) being a public holiday, many have taken Monday off to secure a long weekend. Since the roads will be busy, it is important to keep road-safety in mind.
Also, with a few basic tips, you might even save on the high cost of fuel.
“We all want to relax and have a good time. But we’ve got to stay alert to the risks, whether on the road, and it’s also a time of increased opportunistic crime,” said Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King Price Insurance.
His top tips are:
On the road
Get your vehicle ready
Check the tyres. Top up the fluids. Make sure everything is in working condition. If you are towing a trailer or caravan, ensure it is road-trip-ready. Check your medical emergency kit, and make sure your tyre-changing tools are present and intact.
Don’t drive tired
Fatigue remains one of the biggest killers on South Africa’s roads. If you are planning a long trip, get enough sleep the night before. If you get tired, pull over and take a break, or give someone else a turn behind the wheel.
Drive defensively
“You might be a careful driver, but that doesn’t mean everybody else is. Stay focused, and be alert to road conditions and other road users’ unpredictable overtaking manoeuvres and behaviour,” says Van Vuuren. Rather arrive a few minutes later than try ridiculously risky overtaking manoeuvres yourself.
Avoid distractions
Using our cellphones while driving is a major cause of accidents. Don’t do it. If you have to use your phone, wait for a stop. Make sure everyone in the vehicle understands the importance of not distracting the driver.
Safety at home
Check your security systems
Make sure your alarm, electric fence and beams are all in working order. Like most household appliances, these should all be tested regularly. Do not think criminals are on holiday, too. If you leave your house, even for a few minutes, make sure that your doors and windows are secured, and your alarm is activated. Keep the electric fence on and the gates locked when you are entertaining. If possible, do not let your guests park on the pavement.
Do not become a hijack victim
Hijacking is rapidly becoming the leading type of vehicle crime in South Africa. Even if you are just taking a trip to the mall with the family, stay alert: one of the most common places people are hijacked is their own driveway. If a hijacking happens, just give up your car and your possessions.
Basic vehicle maintenance improves fuel economy
Keeping your vehicle properly maintained can improve fuel economy by 4%. Fixing a serious issue, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by up to 40%.
“Take these money-saving strategies one step further by keeping basic vehicle maintenance top of mind,” advises Barend Smit, marketing director of MotorHappy, a supplier of motor management solutions and car insurance options.
To help save fuel, follow these maintenance tips:
Properly inflate tyres, and check tyre pressure at least once a month. The correct tyre pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door. When tyres are inflated correctly, the vehicle’s weight is distributed evenly, improving fuel efficiency as well as increasing the lifespan of the tyres. When the tyres are under inflated, they are softer and have a greater “footprint” on the road. This creates more friction between the road and the tyre, and the vehicle needs to use more energy to keep moving.
Use the correct oil by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of oil for your vehicle. Also, look for oil that specifically says it is energy conserving.
Replace clogged air filters. A dirty or damaged air filter limits the amount of air flowing into your vehicle’s engine, making it work harder and use more fuel.
Make sure the fuel cap is properly secured. Damaged or missing fuel caps allow fuel to escape and vaporise.
Arrive Alive provides the following tips when driving at night:
- Make sure your headlights and brake lights are in proper working order.
- Aim your headlights correctly and make sure they are clean.
- Turn your headlights on about an hour before the sun goes down. This makes it easier for other drivers to see you at dusk.
- Be careful when using your high beams. You do not want to blind other drivers.
- Dim your dashboard lights. Lights in the car can sometimes cause a night-time glare on your windscreen.
- Drive slower. Driving too fast reduces your ability to react to whatever might be in the road.
- Allow for more space between you and the car or truck ahead of you.
- You can avoid night-time glare by focusing your eyes on the right side of the road near the white lines, using the day-night feature on your rear-view mirror and keeping your windscreen clean.
- Take breaks during long drives.
- Avoid drivers who are swerving or drifting.
- Know when to pull over to a safe rest area to get some sleep or take a nap.
– Compiled
