12 road safety tips ahead of the festive season

Traffic is expected to increase significantly on the country’s major routes over the festive season, and as a result, the Automobile Association (AA) says motorists must prepare both their attitudes and vehicles properly for their planned journeys.

Driving safely is not just about ensuring the vehicle is in a safe, roadworthy condition, but it is also about having the right attitude behind the wheel.

Ensuring the driver is well-rested before embarking on a long trip, following road rules, and being courteous to other drivers is equally important.

By everyone playing their part this festive season, the AA is hoping for fewer crashes and fatalities this holiday period.

The AA expects traffic volumes to pick up on major routes including the N1 from Polokwane to Cape Town through Gauteng and Bloemfontein, the N2 along the Indian Ocean coastline, the N3 from Gauteng to KZN, the

N4 through Mpumalanga, and the N7 from Cape Town through Namaqualand to the Namibian border.

All road users are urged to remain as vigilant as possible and focus on the road, whether they are drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or riding a motorcycle.

In addition, the AA offers the following tips for travellers:

1. Keep left, pass right. A simple rule which should be followed by all moving vehicles
2. Take a detour, get off the beaten track, and explore our beautiful country. Make the journey part of your trip
3. Ensure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up
4. Drink or drive. If you are going to be doing one, don’t do the other, it’s as simple as that
5. If you are walking, be visible at all times, especially at night and at dawn or dusk, or in poorly-lit areas
6. While on the road, take a breather every two hours or every 200km
7. If you’re a biker or riding a bicycle, wear a helmet and other necessary protective gear
8. Change your speed to suit the conditions of the road; do not drive at the speed limit when the road surface makes it unsafe to do so
9. Distracted driving is dangerous, and means you aren’t focused on the road ahead
10. Ensure your tyres (and spare) are in a good condition and adequately pumped up
11. Ensure your windscreen wipers are in good condition
12. Be prepared for any roadside, medical or security situation by downloading the AA RescueMe app

Road users should not forget that the country is still in lockdown, and that curfew must be adhered to.

People are advised to plan their trips properly so they are not on the road during these times.

It’s also a good idea to avoid the busy days on roads when traffic will be heavier.