Choose life this Easter

THE Easter holiday is upon us again and with it comes the annual scourge of exceedingly high volumes of traffic and horrific reports of carnage on the roads.

As we celebrate Easter and the accompanying long weekends, it is of the utmost importance that we keep the roads safety on  at the forefront of our minds and adopt the correct attitudes and behaviour to ensure that we respect the rules of the road as well as the lives and wellbeing of others who use the same roads.

“There will undoubtedly be more cars on the road as people drive to and from their holiday destinations. It’s important that motorists are aware of the increase in volumes, and that they adjust their driving accordingly. Do not be in a hurry to get to your destination, buckle-up, and arrive safely rather than not at all,” says the AA.

Local Senior Superintendent at the Department of Public Safety, Kumarin Naicker, urges motorists and pedestrians to take extreme care when traveling over the Easter period both near and far. Naicker stated that, for the time period of 2014 to 2015, passengers and pedestrians made up 70% of fatalities on the road across the country, which is a serious concern for traffic officials and law enforcement, even on a local level and that drivers and pedestrians needed to be made aware and educated of their duties and responsibilities on the road.

“All motorists need to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles before travelling,” instructed Naicker. “Damaged windscreens, smooth tyres and oil leaks should be addressed. Ensure that your vehicle’s license is up to date as reminders are not sent out anymore.”

If you’re planning on drinking alcohol at any point, arrange a designated driver rather than risk the consequences of drinking and driving. The legal limit in South Africa for public road users is 0.05 % (0.24mg/l brAC) which boils down to approximately two units of alcohol within one hour for a person of average weight and height, according to Arrive Alive. Professional drivers, namely people who drive for a living, such as Bus Drivers, Courier and Truck Drivers, are limited to 0.02 % (0.10mg/l brAC), which is the rough equivalent of one unit of alcohol within one hour for a person of average weight and height.

Naicker urges motorists to take into account the ‘ABC’ of responsible road use, “Attitude, behaviour and caution. Motorists should always take caution,” he advises, “and be safe on the road at all times.”

“To all motorists and pedestrians within the AbaQulusi jurisdiction as well as visitors, AbaQulusi Municipality and the Department of Public Safety wishes you all a safe Easter holiday in compliance with the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and all other legislations.”

Be safe out there this Easter. Choose life and don’t become another road fatality statistic.

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