Matric Vacation: A Rite of Passage or a Safety Hazard?

Matric Vacation, or affectionately referred to as Matric Vac, is considered to be a rite of passage for matriculants across the country who celebrate the end of their school career.

It usually takes the form of a vacation to the coast with a group of friends, causing many a parent to lie awake at night worrying about their child.

According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, there are roughly 40 deaths a day and 14 000 deaths a year on South African roads.  Human error is the largest contributor to all this carnage.  65% of fatal crashes are alcohol related while pedestrians walking drunk on the roads account for just under 40% of all road fatalities.

Speeding and being distracted by cell phones while using the road is sited to be one of the leading causes of accidents in addition to head on collisions that are largely caused by inconsiderate driving behaviour.

“Having your child take their first tentative steps towards independence behind the wheel of a car and far away from home is often a very frightening experience for a parent,” says John Edmeston, CEO of Cartrack.  “Not only is peer pressure and driving inexperience a serious concern, but crime such as hijacking is also never far from your mind.  Far from wanting a ‘big brother’ approach, being able to know that your child is safe, driving responsibly and can be located quickly if they need help or assistance, is a great comfort,” he adds.

Vehicle tracking together with telematics provide a very plausible solution to keeping track of a young driver.  Today, many tracking units utilise Global Positioning System (GPS) technology that will provide parents with a wealth of information.

“Besides being able to pinpoint the exact location of a vehicle in real-time, telematics is also able to furnish an accurate recount of the vehicle’s movements and how and when it was driven,” Edmeston explains.

Another added benefit of utilising a car tracking unit that has telematics (tracking and diagnostics) capabilities is the unit’s accurate accident reconstruction abilities.  “Young and inexperienced drivers are often assumed to be in the wrong, even when a collision was not their fault.  The speed at which the vehicle was travelling, kinematics of movement, momentum, directionality, braking and cornering all paint a clear picture of what transpired leading up to and during a collision, that could very well exonerate a young driver,” says John.

“While your child will most likely understand the reasoning behind the installation of a vehicle tracking unit, it will also set a clear parameter in which he can operate without it feeling like you are checking on them,” he adds.

A GPS tracking unit offers geo-fencing that sets a virtual perimeter for a real-world geographical area.  “If you discuss the locations that you expect your child to be at certain times, then you can set a geo-fence on their travelling location that will alert you if the vehicle was to move outside the perimeter.

A few tips for young drivers on Matric Vac:
•    Buckle up
•    Don’t use your phone while driving
•    Get enough sleep and take a break to stretch your legs
•    Pay attention to road signs and road markings
•    Don’t drink and drive
•    Don’t walk around inebriated
•    Speed kills, so stick to the speed limit
•    Know the emergency numbers of the areas you are driving through and staying at
•    Keep your cool and avoid road rage
•    Have your car serviced and thoroughly checked before your trip

“We have all been young and we all know that parties and irresponsible behaviour are almost part and parcel of a young person’s rite of passage to the life of a responsible adult,” says Edmeston.  “There is, however, no greater risk and the fatalities among our youth on the roads are frightening.” he concludes.