5 SMART driving tips for a safer holiday road trip

Festive season fever is gripping the country as millions of South Africans are enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation after another frantic year in the fast lane.

While many will recharge in the sanctity of their homes, others will embark en masse to visit family, friends and holiday destinations dotted all around our beautiful country.

A side effect of this intra-border migration is a road network stretched to capacity with weary travellers eager to get to their journey’s end as soon as possible.

Navigating this increased congestion brings heightened risk, with motorists having to deal not only with above-average traffic volumes but also frayed tempers and waning attention spans.

SCAN
Scan the road ahead for moving and stationary hazards. Remember to check your rearview and side mirrors every five to eight seconds and before braking to see if any vehicles are behind you. This will help you approximate their distance and closing speed.

MANAGE
Manage any visible road hazards carefully and swiftly by changing direction or adjusting your speed. You can also hoot or flash your headlights. Remember, the sooner you identify the hazard and anticipate the reaction, the more time and space you have to avoid a collision. Confidence is key.

AVOID
Avoid distractions. These can be auditory (loud music or conversations), physical (fumbling with switchgear and phones) or mental (thinking about things other than the road in front of you). Distractions are lethal because the faster you travel, the less reaction time you have and the greater the chance of hitting a hazard.

REMEMBER
Remember the five Cs of defensive driving:
Concentration: focus on the task at hand and aim to limit distraction.
Competency: know your vehicle and aim to operate it safely, efficiently and with mechanical sympathy.
Compliance: always obey the rules of the road. As the driver you are in charge of your vehicle so the onus is on you to ensure the safety of your passengers. It’s also your responsibility to not drink and drive, rest when tired and avoid reckless and/or negligent actions.
Consideration: remain patient in order to avoid unneeded stress and road rage.
Communication: indicate your intentions timeously using turn and – if necessary – hand signals.

THINK
Think about the safety of all road users at all times. Think about saving money and saving the planet by driving thoughtfully and carefully. Think about your destination and the loved ones waiting for your arrival – get there with no regrets.

(Source: Suzuki South Africa)

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