As the festive season approaches, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is urging motorists in Gauteng to use their year-end bonuses and stokvel payouts to repair their vehicles and renew licence discs before they begin their holiday travel.

The appeal comes as thousands of residents prepare for long-distance trips.

The RTMC warns that many drivers postpone essential vehicle repairs throughout the year and only attend to them when the holiday season begins.

The RTMC encourages motorists to fix tyres, cracked windscreens, faulty brakes, worn wipers and broken lights.

These components are especially important for safety because Gauteng is expecting heavy rain and wet roads throughout the summer.

According to the RTMC, vehicle-related factors contributed 6.9% of all fatal crashes during the previous festive season.

Of this figure, tyre bursts accounted for 65.7%, faulty brakes for 11.4%, and headlights not switched on for 9.5%.

Gauteng has the most expiring licence discs

The RTMC reports that 1 060 382 vehicle licence discs across the country will expire at the end of November.
Gauteng has the highest number, with 416 828 renewals due.

The Western Cape follows with 197 797 discs due for renewal, and KwaZulu-Natal 143 293.

Other provinces with licence discs expiring at the end of the month include Mpumalanga with 66 446, the Eastern Cape with 63 263, Limpopo with 58 551, the Free State with 47 572, the North West with 44 871, and the Northern Cape with 21 763.

Driving with an expired licence disc in South Africa can lead to late renewal penalties of 10% of the annual fee for every month that the disc has lapsed.

Motorists may also receive fines of up to R1 000 from law enforcement, and the vehicle may even be impounded.

RTMC encourages safe travel

The RTMC is reminding Gauteng motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before starting any festive season journeys.

Ensuring that the vehicle is in good condition can help prevent avoidable crashes and breakdowns on busy roads.