Over the past three months, 26 people have sadly lost their lives in road crashes in and around Vryheid. This number is deeply concerning, hence Alida Venter from Drive More Safely (registered non-profit organsation) has taken it upon herself to inform and educate road-users with the aim of curbing the high fatality rate. Venter is no stranger to Vryheid, since she visited schools in November last year with her trusted friend, Danny Cat. Danny was a huge hit among the learners, but Alida is determined to also spread road safety awareness among adults. “26 deaths are unacceptable! Let’s make our roads a safer place to be. It is so important to fully concentrate when you are on the road,” said Venter.
She explains what happens when someone is involved in a motor vehicle accident:
Newton’s first law of motion states that an object in motion will stay in motion until acted upon by an outside force. So, in the event of a crash, your body will be moving at the same speed you were travelling until stopped by a solid object. The force your body will be impacted by, travelling at only 60km/h, will be the same as falling from a three-storey building. Not wearing a seatbelt, your body will rush forward and likely collide with the steering wheel and window, causing traumatic injury. This is the reason car crashes are so deadly. The most common injuries include:
* Whiplash;
* Concussion;
* Traumatic brain injuries;
* Injured knees;
* Herniated discs;
* Spinal cord injuries.
Is all this worth risking? Empower yourself with the following tips to be safe on our roads and save your life, as well as the lives of your family members:
* Always adhere to the rules of the road;
* Ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy at all times and licensed;
* Ensure that your tyres are correctly inflated and are not worn out;
* Always ensure that all passengers are safely buckled up;
* Make sure the brakes are at their best;
* Wiper blades are not worn out;
* Headlights and all other lights are working;
* Please use your indicators, as they are the communicators with other road-users;
* Always keep a safe following distance;
* Don’t be distracted by your cellphone or anything else. Your full attention should be on the road.
Road safety is your responsibility. Empower yourself by attending courses to equip yourself with skills that are needed to be safe on the roads.
For more details on how to be safe, contact Alida Venter at Drive More Safely NPO on 061 428 5231 or email info@drivemoresafely.co.za or visit the website www.drivemoresafely.co.za

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.