The Automobile Association (AA) reported that keeping your vehicle in peak operating condition is the best way to ensure your safety on the road as well as reducing your overall motoring costs.
This comes after AA analysed the statistics of accidents on South African roads caused by un-roadworthy vehicles.
Last year around 12 200 people died entirely avoidable deaths on South Africa’s roads. It is not easy to tell the exact number of people who die every day because of un-roadworthy vehicles. However, Daily Maverick reported on 6 November that 33 deaths takesplace every day on South African roads and that has exceeded the percentage of previous years.
The AA reported that approximately, seven to ten percent of vehicle crashes are related to vehicles that are not roadworthy.
This was the word as it kicked off its transport month campaign, urging motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. All vehicles should be able to pass the roadworthy test and the vehicle that is found to be un-roadworthy should be impounded by the police.
However, if your vehicle’s shock absorbers have covered 80 000 km it may pass the road worthy test but is unlikely to las on a long trip. The test is confined to the basics, because it would not be practical or cost-effective to conduct in-depth tests of every single component.
For example, rubber brake hoses depreciate over the years, and may not be able to tolerate the pressure of emergency braking after 15 to 20 years. It is the owner’s duty to ensure that their vehicle undergoes full service and maintenance to avoid a break-down.
In South Africa periodic roadworthy testing is not compulsory as it is in many road safety conscious countries.
“The onus is therefore on the motorist to maintain the safety of their vehicles,” said the AA.
For more information about car maintenance visit www.aa.co.za or aasa.mobi, or contact:
Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) 011 799 1180
