The festive season in our area kicked off with a large joint safety action on December 12

Members of the police in Fochville and Wedela joined forces with the Merafong City Local Municipality’s traffic department as well as Harmony Gold, to check vehicles and give safety tips at the big four-way crossing of the N12 and the R500 between Carletonville and Fochville.

According to the municipal traffic department there are many things that motorists can do to keep themselves safe this festive season.

One of the main road safety issues is that residents must keep to the speed limit.

Speeding is a contributing factor in 75% of accidents and a decrease of just 10% in a vehicle’s speed reduces fatal accidents by 40%.

Meanwhile nearly 40% of people killed on roads are pedestrians.

The most important tip for pedestrians is to wear visible clothing. A pedestrian wearing white is visible at 55m, while motorists can see them at 150m if they wear reflective clothing.

It is also illegal to drive under the influence of liquor, with the maximum punishment for this offence a fine of R120 000 or six years imprisonment.

Fatigue is a silent killer and drivers are advised to rest every two hours or 200km.

Motorists must always wear their seatbelts as it is the law and are urged to make sure their vehicles are maintained properly.