MBOMBELA – According to the latest report by the Automobile Association of South Africa, this country’s roads are the most deadly in the world. Half of the accidents are caused by unroadworthy vehicles.

However, hundreds of people still take that long exhausting journey to a holiday destination without any sufficient preparation.
Gary Friend, branch manager at Hi-Q, says a safe trip starts by having your car, caravan or trailer checked and well maintained before you depart. “Drivers often forget that only correctly inflated tyres can do their job properly, delivering the right level of handling performance.

Our comprehensive tyre tests show that under- and also over-inflation can have a significant impact on the car’s overall driving behaviour and its stopping distance. But it impacts not only the car’s safety, it also decreases the tyres’ potential mileage and the car’s fuel efficiency,” says Friend. Road trips are about fun, experimenting and exploring and no one would like to experience interruptions such as a breakdown, but still drivers forget to do a safety- point check, such as checking for water, oil and the correct tire pressure.

“My best advice is to buy a gauge, keep it in your car and record the recommended pressure. Every time when you put air in your tyres you know that you have the right recommended pressure. If tyre pressure varies it often affects wheel alignment,” he said.

Les McMaster, chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (Miwa), says with many of us looking forward to the holiday time ahead and possibly a long drive to our holiday destination, now is a good time to know how to deal with a flat car battery.

“While the jump-starting procedure is relatively standard for all vehicles, boost starting can cause serious damage to the vehicle’s electrical system and computer. First consult the owner’s manual for any specific boost-starting instructions, as well as to ensure that the different locations are identified for the jump- start terminals. In many modern cars these terminals are placed at strategic areas of the vehicle due to the battery being fitted in awkward locations,” he said.

Friend recommends the following tips for a safe and stress-free holiday
• Check if your tyres are in a good condition, take your car for a wheel- alignment test and check if the brake pads and discs are in a good condition.
• Don’t forget to check your wiper blades, shock absorbers and importantly take your car for service if it’s due for one. “People should remember it is not about the journey it’s about the destination.
• Also have your wife take phone calls. Don’t answer your phone when you are driving. Minimise all distractions, rest every hour, play good music and enjoy your trip.”