Tips for staying safe on Lowveld roads this long weekend

• Always have your driver’s licence with you.

• Always make sure you and your passengers are buckled up.

• Check the speed limit – driving too fast or too slowly can be a potential hazard.

• Keep a safe following distance so that you have enough time to react in an emergency. Remember to increase your following distance when visibility is poor and when the road is wet.

• Drive with your lights on – this will make you more visible to other drivers. Ensure that all your car’s lights are working 100%, especially at night.

• Dip your headlights at night well before an approaching vehicle is close. Also remember to dip your lights as you approach vehicles in front of you.

• Remember that drivers may only travel in the emergency lane if they can see the road ahead is clear for 150m. Don’t expect the driver in front of you to move over just because you are in a hurry.

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• Drive defensively. Don’t assume that other drivers will do what they are supposed to do.

• Only overtake when it is safe. Never overtake on a blind rise or where there is a solid white line.

• Always check your blind spot before changing lanes, even when the road seems deserted.

• Always be cautious when approaching a railway crossing. Be sure to slow down and cross only when it is safe to do so.

• Stay alert and keep an eye on what’s happening around you.

• Always be prepared for emergencies. Carry an emergency kit with items that will come in handy if you’re stranded on the side of the road or involved in a vehicle crash.

• Watch out for potentially dangerous drivers and pedestrians walking along the road.

• Be on the lookout for obstructions like potholes or animals which may stray into the road, especially in rural areas.

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