Prioritise road safety this festive season with the help of Suzuki Salt Rock and Arrive Alive
Across KwaZulu-Natal, an average of 36 lives are lost in road accidents each day, with as many as 20 people becoming permanently disabled because of serious injuries suffered.
With the festive season upon us, scores of people are preparing to hit the road this December for a well-earned holiday break or to visit loved ones and enjoy some quality time together.
But danger lurks if one is not adequately prepared for the congested roads.
According to the provincial transport department, an average of 36 lives are lost in road accidents each day throughout the province, with as many as 20 people becoming permanently disabled because of serious injuries suffered.
The statistics are shocking, with more than 7 000 people being left maimed annually.
It is with this in mind that Arrive Alive and Suzuki Salt Rock bring you safety tips for the road, and what to have checked on your car before hitting the road this festive season.
Speaking to the Courier, Gisela Witthoft of Suzuki Salt Rock said one should do a thorough examination of one’s car to ensure utmost safety.
“It’s not just about making sure you’ve packed tools for when you need to change your tyre because of a blowout or other mishaps. You need to ensure you’ve got your jack, triangle, jumper cables and more. You never know what could happen on the road, and the last thing you need is getting stuck without one of these items,” warned Witthoft.
“Aside of having your car serviced regularly, check if your tyres have the legal tread limit. Other checks people can do on their own include checking if all the lights are in working order.”
But Witthoft said there are checks which only a dealership would be ideal for. This is where ‘holiday checks’ come in.
“This includes a 40-point check where we look for important items such as the condition of your brakes, tyres, fluid levels, including a complimentary wheel alignment.”
Aside of the standard checks, Witthoft advised that people should also remember the basics to have with them when hitting the road, specifically car phone chargers, first aid kits, a torch and, in case of an emergency, a reflective vest.
Concluding with some safety tips for the road this festive season, Arrive Alive advised:
• Plan your route to your holiday destination in advance and allow yourself ample time to reach the destination.
• Take safety breaks every two hours or 200km and get some rest.
• Try to recognise potentially dangerous drivers and keep an eye out for pedestrians.
• Maintain visibility on the road by keeping your headlights on.
• Maintain at least a two-second following distance, which should be increased when driving at night or in foggy and wet conditions.
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