If you are embarking on a road trip, read on.
In a recent online survey conducted by Dialdirect, 75% of holidaymakers said that they will be travelling to their holiday destinations by car.
Dialdirect Insurance shares some tips on how you should be safe during this festive season:
Checklist
*Before you take to the road, be sure to check your vehicle’s lights, windows and wipers, wheels and tyres, brakes, suspension, battery, belts and chains, cooling system, filters and fluids, safety and warning equipment and child car seats.
*Make sure that your load is within your vehicle’s capabilities and that it is properly secured. Tie a red piece of cloth to the ends of any object that protrudes past your vehicle’s edges. All trailers and caravans are required to have a safety chain, which helps in the event of tow bar failure.
*Pack a Covid-19 road trip kit, which should include masks, sanitiser, wipes or soap-handy to use at rest stops.
Driving tips
*Plan your trip carefully and use the technology at your disposal to avoid problem areas.
*Always keep a safe, 2 to 3 second following distance.
*Don’t speed. According to the World Health Organization, you could save your own or someone else’s life with just a 10 km/h decrease in speed. This small change reduces fatalities by almost 40%.
*Stop at a red traffic light and stop sign, without fail. Don’t overestimate your luck, timing ability or observation skills.
*Obey the line. Even with lines permitting overtaking, always make double sure that it’s safe to do so.
*Don’t drink and drive. SA’s legal limit is a breath alcohol content of 0.24mg per 1000ml or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml. As a rule of thumb, two drinks in one hour will put you over the limit. Bear in mind that you could still be over the limit the morning after. Alternate the alcoholic drinks you do have with soft drinks or water. If you’ve been drinking, do not take a chance, rather call a taxi.
*Always look twice. Be especially mindful of motorcycles and vehicles without the necessary lights or indicators, or drivers who forgot to turn their indicators off.
*Focus. Avoid distractions like eating, drinking, minding kids or using your cellphone while driving.
*Choose the correct lane for the speed that you’re travelling at.
*Think ahead by keeping a constant eye on the vehicles in front of you.
*Plan your turns, as well as your highway entrances and exits, well in advance to ensure that you get into the correct lane early enough. Never switch to a lane if you can’t see what’s both well behind and ahead of you in that lane.
*Be especially mindful of roadworks and lane closures. Allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
*Bear other drivers in mind. They also need to plan for your vehicle’s movements, so be sure to indicate clearly and timeously.
*Always keep an eye out for pedestrians and switch your vehicle’s headlights to the brightest setting wherever possible.
*Help your fellow road users. Report faulty traffic lights, damage to roads, obstructions and bad driver behaviour hotspots to the authorities.
Fatigue
*Rest is essential. Motorists should get at least 8 hours sleep before a long-distance trip, and avoid travelling during their body’s downtime, which for most people is between 2 am and 6 am.
*Plan breaks into your trip and do not drive when you’re tired. Avoid having sugary or fatty snacks, energy drinks and caffeine to keep you going. Drink lots of water, eat healthy foods and pull over to rest and refresh properly when you need to.
Bikes and heavy vehicles
*Always keep a special lookout for bikes and heavy vehicles. If you’re behind a truck and you can’t see the mirrors, then the driver can’t see you.
*A truck with a trailer needs two lanes to turn.
*Heavy vehicles need a long distance to stop, so avoid cutting in front of them.
If your car breaks down and you are involved in an accident
*Switch on your hazard lights and, if possible and legal, pull into the emergency lane.
*Make sure that your vehicle remains visible and make use of your emergency triangle.
*If you get stuck in a dangerous spot, get out of your vehicle when it is safe to do so and walk carefully to the side of the road. Ideally, you should remain in your car with the doors locked.
*Call emergency services and your insurer for assistance.
