MOTORING NEWS - South Africa has one of the highest traffic to accident fatality rates in the world. Over last year's festive-season period, over 1 300 people died on our roads.
When one considers that the number of registered cars using our 596 000km of roads increased from 6,4 million in 2003 to 9,1 million in 2011, the need for increased driver attention and vehicle maintenance is clear.
Aftermarket Solutions (formerly Midas) offers some valuable advice that we as drivers can follow to help curb South Africa's alarmingly high road-accident statistics.
Summer rain is unseasonal, but not unexpected in our region anymore. Heavy summer rains, coastal fog and other inclement weather conditions can seriously affect safe driving. Flooding is also a hazard; water on a low-lying bridge can lift a vehicle while unseen debris can cause additional problems. Consider using a navigation system like TomTom that not only provides a map, but also gives traffic warnings.
More vehicles on our roads, poor road maintenance and bad weather have left many of our roads with notoriously bad potholes. Not only does this necessitate much more careful driving, it also requires you to properly maintain your vehicle, including making sure your tyres are appropriately inflated, and your shock absorbers, struts and springs are all working correctly. Visit your local Midas workshop to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition.
Speed
Speed can kill. The faster one drives, the less reaction time there is and the greater the impact in the event of a crash. Particularly when driving in the wet, or on non-surfaced, gravel or dust roads, reduce speed and avoid tailgating.Driver
Research from the UK suggests that 90% of all road crashes are caused by human error. Psycho-motor skills like gradual braking, finding the biting point of the clutch or mastering the turn of a steering wheel make a huge difference in safe driving, as does knowing how to react if the car skids.
If it has been a few years since you passed your driver's test, now is the time to give yourself a refresher (visit www.k53-test.co.za). Understanding the rules of the road and knowing how to interpret road signs contribute enormously to safe travelling. Knowing one's vehicle is as important: reading the manual will be time well spent.
Driving drunk or fatigued
Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is a total no-no. And being severely sleep-deprived is as dangerous to safe driving as being drunk: it leads to slower reaction times and poor judgment.
A well-maintained car is a safe car. Save yourself time, money and heartbreak by regularly checking your vehicle's oil and cooling-system levels, tyres and lights. Don't forget the taillights - any Motolek workshop can assist with replacing light bulbs and refitting light covers. Also have your car serviced regularly.
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