Don’t become a statistic on the roads this festive season – check your car

Les Mc Master, chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), says all drivers need to take responsibility for their vehicles and the way they behave on the road to reduce the accident rate.

Major contributory factors to the festive season fatal crashes include speeding, overtaking when it is not safe to do so, fatigue, overloading and tyre bursts.

“Car owners can do a few simple checks to make sure their vehicles are ready for long road trips,” says Mc Master.

He highly recommends checking the following:

• Oil level;

• Tyre pressure;

• Spare wheel;

• Windscreen wipers and water levels;

• Any warning signs on the dashboard;

• License disk;

• Lights and indicators; and

• Battery.

“Don’t ignore strange noises coming from your car. If you are unsure see a mechanic for a quick assessment,” he adds.

Mc Master also urges drivers to ensure baby and children’s car seats are correctly installed and that vehicles are not overloaded.

“It’s also important to make sure that all items are properly secured in boots, on roof racks and the likes.”

Besides checking the vehicle he points out that drivers need to be physically ready for a long journey.

“Many accidents over the festive season can be avoided if drivers are alert, patient, and considerate to other road users and, most importantly, take regular breaks. Rather give yourself extra time to get to your destination so you don’t feel the need to rush. Keep calm and don’t take chances.”

He offers these additional tips for drivers getting behind the wheel in the next few weeks:

• Get enough sleep and plan your route. It is important to plan your route, including refuelling points, rest points and any overnight stops if necessary. Also ensure you get enough sleep the night before your trip to ensure you are not tired when driving.

• Also remember to properly charge your cellphone, so you can contact emergency services should you need to.

• Fatigue plays a large part in the number of road accidents. Drivers and passengers should be aware of any signs of fatigue. If the driver is drifting from lane to lane and jerking the vehicle back again, is daydreaming, constantly yawning, having difficulty focusing or keeping his/her eyes open – it is time to stop and take a rest. Don’t rely on the radio or fresh air from an open window to keep you awake, rather pull off into a safe area, drink some coffee and try to have a 20 to 45 minute nap.

• If you do need to rest, avoid suspicious areas and keep all your doors locked. Where possible, rather pull over to a designated rest stop.

“With over 2 000 accredited MIWA workshops around the country, remember that you are never too far from a MIWA workshop if you need help. Let’s make sure this is a relaxed and accident-free festive season,” he concludes.