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Don’t Shrug Off The Road Safety Messaging This Year.

Oct 28, 2014 roadsafety, Midas, TomTom, Waze


As members of the motor sector, there is generally an attitude that reminding drivers about safe holiday travel is for those “consumers out there”.

We kind of think that we are above all that. We don't need to be told to check our tyres, or reminded to be rested for our trip. After all, we work right up until the last moment while everybody else is already on holiday. Admit it – you don't give much thought you how you will get to your destination.

The reality is that South Africa’s roads are the sixth most deadly in the world, according to a 2010 United Nations poll. Last December road-accident casualties exceeded the 1 300 mark in one month alone, with most occurring in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Alcohol abuse remains the leading cause of fatalities, with six out of 10 drivers who died having had dangerously high blood-alcohol levels.

Not drinking and driving is a no-brainer, but what else can you do to make sure we effect the statistics positively this holiday season?

No matter who you are, they are essential reminders for your personal car usage as well as your staff - especially if they are commercial drivers after recent events - and also to your customers. It is their safety that keeps us all in business after all.

Midas have compiled a nice checklist and recommends sharing it as far and wide as possible:

  • Plan the route properly. Discuss and map it out, including regular stops along the way. Investigate roadworks, road closures and detours, so you can plan for any delays.
  • Check the weather beforehand to know what road conditions and potential hazards to expect.
  • Make sure the vehicle is serviced. Check tyre treads and pressure, oil and water levels, battery and windscreen wipers, and if necessary replace the fan belt, air filters or spark plugs. If the vehicle is no longer under warranty, visit any Midas Group-owned ACD workshop around the country for professional, cost-efficient vehicle service and maintenance. (Do the same checks before you begin the journey home again.)
  • Rest both before and during the trip. In the few days leading up to a long road trip, get plenty of good quality sleep - at least eight hours a night. When you’re on the road, 15-minute rests every two hours will ensure you keep awake and alert. If you’re struggling to keep your eyes open, or are having to turn up the radio or roll down the window to keep yourself awake, pull over and stop immediately.
  • Consider signing up with the Automobile Association or a roadside-assistance programme like Liquid Capital or SOS Squad. Alternatively, sign up with your car brand’s manufacturer programme, such as Volkswagen Alert and Alert Plus, GM Total Confidence or Toyota Total Care.
  • Pack properly. Don’t overload your the vehicle and adjust the tyre pressure for heavier loads. Keep the back shelf free of baggage and secure heavier loose items.
  • Stock up on the essentials - a cooler box stocked with healthy, nourishing precooked or fresh food, spare change for toll roads, a first-aid kit, a torch, jumper cables, a spare tyre and of course a car jack.
  • Drive for optimum fuel efficiency. To conserve fuel, avoid making sudden starts and stops, carrying unnecessary weight in the car or exceeding the 120kph speed limit on open roads.
  • Follow the rules of the road. Really – its not that hard. Buckle up, don’t talk on your cellphone while driving, keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, obey speed limits and use your indicators.

We all need to be reminded, especially if our business is transport orientated. This is a great time of the year for business, let's all help to make a difference on the roads this season. Share this with as many people as possible.

Much of what you need can be found at your nearest Midas store - visit www.midas.co.za and useful apps include Tom Tom (http://www.tomtom.com/en_za/), Waze (https://www.waze.com), Go! Travel South Africa, and Google Maps (https://www.google.co.za/maps?source=tldso). 

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