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As Easter approaches, many South Africans are gearing up for road trips to various holiday destinations across the country.
With the long weekend beckoning, travellers must prioritise safety and preparedness, especially considering the rising incidents of crime along travel routes.
Here are some key tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable Easter road trip:
Route Planning and GPS Navigation
Siyakhe Masiye, spokesperson at MiWay Insurance, says that although GPS systems can be immensely beneficial when travelling via lesser-known routes, it’s important to review the route that the system provides before hitting the road.
- Before embarking on your journey, thoroughly review your route using GPS navigation systems like Google Maps or Waze.
- Avoid blindly following GPS directions; instead, familiarise yourself with the highways and roads you'll be using, checking their safety ratings and any potential warnings.
- Choose well-lit and busy routes, especially at night, and utilise apps with real-time updates to steer clear of roadblocks and potential hazards.
Informing Others About Your Trip
Masiye encourages people to tell a close friend or family where they are going for safety.
READ: Provinces given a hopeful target in minimising road fatalities this Easter Weekend
- Share your travel plans, route and expected arrival time with a trusted friend or family member.
- Utilise features like Google Maps' live location sharing to allow others to monitor your progress and take action in case of any unusual circumstances.
Apple devices have a feature called Check-in. You can use Check-in on your iPhone to automatically notify a friend that your iPhone has arrived, and choose what details they can see if you don’t successfully complete your check-in.
Similarly, if a friend sends you a Check-in but their iPhone hasn’t arrived as expected, you can view their location, battery percentage, cellular signal and more.
Staying Calm and Alert:
- Maintain focus and concentration while driving, especially in challenging terrains like gravel roads or wooded areas.
- Take regular breaks at safe locations, such as petrol stations to avoid fatigue and stay alert throughout your journey.
Masiye warned that it is important not to panic if encountering a hazard on the road and to be aware of the psychological phenomenon called ‘threat fixation.’
READ: Lights, barriers, underpasses, Moloto “death road” R4.5bn upgrade prioritises safety
This refers to the tendency of drivers to become overly focused on potential risk, often to the extent that they neglect other important aspects of driving. Masiye warned:
Avoiding Alcohol and Reckless Driving:
- Commit to abstain from alcohol consumption if you'll be behind the wheel.
- Stay vigilant for other drivers who may engage in reckless behaviour like speeding or reckless overtaking.
Vehicle Safety Measures:
Masiye encourages people to install smash-and-grab safety film on their windows to deter potential hijacking or theft incidents.
- Consider installing a tracking device on your vehicle for added security and the potential for insurance premium discounts.
- Conduct a thorough vehicle check before hitting the road, ensuring that tyres, lights, brakes, and other essential components are in optimal condition.
City Press recently attended VW South Africa's Night School. The night-time advanced driving course aims to educate drivers of all ages on best practices for driving after dark. Matthew Merton, the instructor for the course for the night, shared similar tips.
Matthew said that staying alert also applies to who is following you. "When one is driving, especially at night, they should ensure they keep checking who is following them."
READ: 'Operation Valazonke' aims to eradicate SA's 2m potholes
He said that when one notices that there’s a vehicle following them, especially in their driveway where over 50% of hijacking incidents take place, they should perhaps pass the driveway.
Matthew said:
Matthew said people should always keep to road rules. Keep a safe following distance.
He encouraged people to ensure that they understood how their vehicle features worked. Making an example of cruise control, he said you should not use cruise control in wet conditions because it increases the chances of aquaplaning.
If you are unsure of the safety features that your car has and how to use them, read the manual it came with and ensure that you are using these systems to your advantage.
