Change of driving behaviour a top priority

SINCE the start of December, road accidents around the country have claimed many lives.

On home soil, for example, four people were killed last weekend in a horror crash when their vehicle colliding with a truck near the eSikhaleni cemetery.

The Automobile Association (AA) urges motorists to change their behaviour ahead of the festive season traffic rush.

‘Every day seems to bring another story of a horrific crash somewhere in our country. These result in multiple deaths and injuries, and very often involve children or babies. ‘With the festive season traffic expected to pick up soon, motorists must improve their behaviour on the roads, or else our fatality statistics will simply grow,’ the AA said in a media statement.

In 2016, 14 071 people died on South African roads.

Over the festive period last year (1 December 2016 – 9 January 2017), 1 714 people died, an alarming number of deaths over such a short period.

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According to the AA, these deaths can no longer only be viewed as statistics.

‘As a nation we need to be asking some serious questions about our driving behaviour, which seems to be the main reason for these high death rates.’

The AA issued the following tips regarding road saefty:

• Wear a seatbelt and ensure all passengers are also buckled up. The law requires children under three to be secured in proper child restraint seats.

• Check your tyres (including the spare) to ensure they are in good condition and safe. Worn tyres are potentially fatal.

• Prepare for a long trip by getting enough rest before leaving. Also rest every 200km or every two hours to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

• Don’t speed. Apart from this, drive to the conditions of the road you are travelling on.

• Drive sober. Alcohol, drugs and driving are a deadly combination.

• If you are a pedestrian, make yourself visible and walk in properly lit areas. Also cross busy roads at the designated crossing lanes. Never walk on, or cross over a highway.

• Pay attention while driving. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous. Put your cellphone away and keep it in the car only for emergencies.

• Be courteous to other drivers.

• For added peace of mind on the road, download the AA App, which will give you access to a range of benefits and services. Visit www.aa.co.za for more information.

‘Overtake when it’s safe to do so, maintain a safe following distance and, above all, ensure you and your family arrive safely at your destination and return safely afterwards,’ the AA concluded.

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