Stay safe on the roads this festive season by being prepared and using your common sense. Janita Edwards, Tempest Car Hire marketing director, offers some tips to those who will be travelling over the festive season.
Stay safe on the roads this festive season by being prepared and using your common sense. Janita Edwards, Tempest Car Hire marketing director, offers some tips to those who will be travelling over the festive season.
Planning your route
Plan your trip and if you do not have a GPS navigation tool use a road atlas to plan your trip in advance. For peace of mind, try to stick to major routes or toll roads. If you choose to give the main roads a skip, identify the towns along the route and what the distance is between them, as you will need to plan where to re-fuel.
Plan rest stops along the way and if you are travelling with children it is a good idea to let them know when and where you will be stopping.
Always ensure that a friend or family member who is not travelling with you is aware of which route you will be taking. Ideally you should also update them on your progress and let them know when you have reached your destination safely. Try and avoid peak travel periods if possible.
Rules of the road
Buckling up – It only takes a few seconds, but buckling up can save a life. Did you know that when a vehicle collides or suddenly brakes at a speed of 50km per hour, the weight of the passengers or objects in the car multiply between 30 and 60 fold? If your child weighs 10kg, at the moment of impact
he/she accrues a mass of 300kg.
South African law requires each passenger being transported in a motor vehicle to make use of seatbelts. It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure all passengers are strapped in while travelling. It is a criminal offence for an adult to allow a child younger than 14 years to travel unrestrained in a vehicle equipped with seatbelts or a car safety seat.
Infants and children under the age of 12 should travel in the back seat of a vehicle and should be strapped in, either in a car seat, booster seat or with a seatbelt, depending on the age and weight of the child.
Infants between 0 months and one year of age, or up to 10kg in weight, should travel in a rear facing car seat in the back of a car. In the event of an accident, the impact will be on the seat and not on the infant.
On the road
• Keep your driver’s license and identity documents
with you at all times.
• South Africa has a zero tolerance policy towards drinking and driving. If you intend to consume alcohol make alternative arrangements so you will not be behind the wheel.
• Keep to the speed limit
• Be aware of pedestrians
• Be alert when approaching robots and intersections
• Avoid fatigue and eyestrain by stopping frequently
for breaks and to stretch
• Don’t rush and try to remain patient.
• Be cautious when driving alone, and avoid
stopping in remote areas.
• Always keep your valuables in the boot of your car and never leave items such as cellphones and wallets in open sight, unattended, or on the seat of a car.
On the open road:
Be aware of pedestrians and animals on the open road specifically near more rural areas.
If it is raining, turn your headlights and windscreen wipers on.
Try to reduce speed and try not to brake suddenly. Often there is oil and petrol on the road, which can cause you to skid.
If there is fog, reduce speed, turn headlights on low, or use fog lamps. Use the road markings or the verge of the road as a guide and be very aware of sudden looming obstacles.
Avoid stopping on the highway, rather take the next offramp to stop in a more public area where you can stretch, refresh yourself and/or take a break from driving. Have numbers for roadside assistance and other emergencies close at hand or saved on your cellphone, so that you are well prepared for any eventuality.
Keep essential roadside equipment with you as many breakdowns are caused by relatively minor problems.
These must include a first aid kit, tow rope, jack, warning triangles, torch and fire extinguisher.
In the event of an accident, determine the extent of the damage or injuries and assess whether or not medical attention is required and contact 10111 if an ambulance or assistance is needed. Take a picture and file an accident report with the police as you will need a case number for your insurance company to file a claim.
Remember to get names, addresses, telephone numbers and ID numbers of everyone involved in the accident. If you are using a rental car you would need to notify the rental company to arrange help in organising a replacement vehicle. Make sure your car rental company has a hotline where you can get help.
Tempest, for example, has a 24/7 emergency hotline where you can get assistance. Are we there yet?
Travelling with your family by car can be memorable. However, travelling with small children can be a challenge. Small children can get bored and irritable on long trips so make sure you pack a variety of their favourite snacks and toys such as portable DVD players, colouring books and crayons.
If your child tends to suffer from motion sickness and complains of dizziness or nausea, this can be assuaged by stopping for a while and getting out of the car for a bit of fresh air. Alternatively, there are over the counter drugs available for treating motion sickness, which need to be taken before embarking upon your journey.
Drawing money en route When stopping to use an ATM, remain alert while approaching and making your transaction.
If you notice anything suspicious or feel uncomfortable, stop your transaction immediately and leave. Find an alternative ATM if the one you chose is poorly lit.
Never accept assistance from a stranger while at the ATM and only count your cash in a secure location away from the ATM.
Remember to avoid carrying large amounts of cash or displaying flashy jewellery, watches or cellphones. Never leave valuables in a shopping trolley.
Useful emergency numbers:
In an emergency, call the SAPS emergency number – 10111 – this number will allow you access to flying squad, fire department and ambulances.
If you have any information about a suspected criminal or suspicious activity meriting police investigation and response, call Crime Stop 08600 10111 For poison information services in all areas call 0800 33 3444.
