Top 20 driving and road safety habits to adopt

By adjusting some bad driving habits and adopting new ones you can extend the life of your vehicle, save money and make the roads a safer place, said the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).

According to Jakkie Olivier, CEO of RMI, “We all pick up bad habits or become complacent about certain maintenance requirements and safety checks. Let’s make an effort today to get back on track by taking note of these Top 20 tips …”

• Don’t ride the clutch.

• Keep an eye on the gauges and stop immediately at a reputable and accredited repair facility if you suspect there is a problem.

• Tyre pressure should be checked at least once a week when the tyres are cold.

• Stick to service intervals. Regular maintenance assists in keeping the value of the vehicle.

• Read your manual from cover to cover. If you don’t understand anything – ask a professional.

• Take yous vehicle to an accredited workshop for repairs.

• Don’t drive slowly in a high gear – it can damage your gearbox.

• Make sure to have a spare tyre in your vehicle and that you check it from time to time.

• Take out comprehensive vehicle insurance.

• Always take a cellphone with you, but don’t use it while driving. Distracted driving, e.g. texting while driving, is one of the greatest causes of accidents.

• Check your fuel levels often and avoid waiting until the last drop to refill. It’s not worth running out of petrol in an unsafe area because you waited too long to refill.

• Keep your doors locked and windows closed.

• Keep valuable items hidden while driving.

• Seat-belts must be worn by all passengers, including children.

• Always watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Never offer a lift to strangers.

• If you are going on a long trip, plan ahead to avoid getting lost or running out of fuel.

• Share your route plans with family and friends.

• Stick to speed limits. They are there for a reason.

• Be courteous on the roads. Just because another driver is behaving badly, it doesn’t mean you have to behave badly too.

“If you are good to your vehicle, it will be good to you. We strongly encourage all motorists to use RMI-accredited service providers to take care of their second biggest capital investment after their homes, their vehicles.

“Not only will you be dealing with a professional but there is recourse through the RMI’s dispute resolution process should you not be entirely satisfied with the service you received. Safe driving,” Jakkie concluded.