Prioritising safety should be an utmost concern for every road user in South Africa during the festive recess and even beyond. Risk factors range from intoxicated drivers, hijacking syndicates, motorists breaking the laws that govern the roads, and the deteriorating conditions of roads in the country.
Various organisations in road infrastructure development and maintenance, as well as suppliers of motors, concur that the South African road infrastructure is lagging far behind the rest of the world, in large part owing to a lack of proper maintenance.
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice) and MotorHappy, a supplier of motor management solutions, highlighted a need to improve road infrastructure to become safe. According to a Saice report of 2022’s Infrastructure Report Card (IRC), the country’s infrastructure is rated D, on a scale of A to E, with A being world-class infrastructure and E being failed or failing infrastructure.
Given the complex risks on South African roads, users are strongly encouraged to be on high alert and avoid the risk of becoming part of the growing statistics of crime on the road and road fatalities.
Barend Smit, marketing director of MotorHappy, highlighted the risk of festive season late-night activities, further warning against travelling during night-time.
Keep safe following distance: Drivers are encouraged to keep safe following distance, whether driving during the day or night, in addition to following traffic rules, ensuring own safety and the safety of others. “Increase your following distance, stick to the speed limit, and avoid using your cell phone while driving,” said Smit.
Stay vigilant: Drivers are strongly encouraged to stay vigilant when approaching intersections, even if you have the right of way.
“Several night-time drivers are apprehensive and might run red lights. If you notice a red light ahead, ease off the accelerator and approach the stop line slowly.”
“Criminals are known to target vehicles stopped at intersections. Keep your windows up and doors locked and leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front to make a quick escape, if necessary,” advises Smit.
“A regular check for brakes, tyres, and windshield wipers to ensure they are functioning properly. A maintenance plan covers these wear and tear items, as well as all required services and some unexpected breakdowns.”
“With a maintenance plan you can have peace of mind knowing that all wear and tear items are covered, and you will not get any financial surprises when these components need to be replaced,” Smit advises.
“Driving at night requires heightened awareness and extra precautions due to South Africa’s unique high crime rate. Stay informed of the latest hijacking hot spots and criminal tactics to reduce your risk on the road,” he added.
