Road trip safety tips this Easter

With international travel not really possible, South Africans have to opt for domestic travel. This trend is likely to continue, and we will see more cars hitting the road this Easter Holiday.

Marius Neethling, Underwriting Manager: Personal Lines at Santam says, “While a road trip is certainly the best way to explore our beautiful country, it also means that there will be more cars on the road, and more risk of accidents.”

Neethling provides four tips below on how to keep your car and family safe on your road trip with some careful checks and clever planning.

1. The checks to make before you go

If you’re going to be driving long distances, ensure your car is in tiptop condition – especially in unfavourable weather conditions.

Tyre maintenance: Ensure that wheel alignment and balancing have been carried out, that tyres are in a good condition, that the tyre tread is within legal limits and that your tyre pressure is according to the specifications of the manufacturer. Don’t forget to check your spare wheel.

2. Check your oil and the coolant of your vehicle.

Windscreen and wiper check: Ensure that your windscreen is free of cracks and stone chips, which can influence your visibility. Your front and rear wipers should be in a good working order to clear rain and debris from the glass. Remember to fill up your windscreen wash.

Book that service: To avoid the inconvenience and expense of a mechanical breakdown, it’s a good idea to stick to the service intervals as prescribed by your vehicle manufacturer.  

How’s your paperwork? Getting caught with an expired driver’s licence card or licencing disk is a hassle you can do without on your holiday so be sure to adhere to legislation.

Stock your emergency supply: Invest in a first-aid kit to help you deal with road trip headaches like motion sickness and small cuts. A torch, glow-in-the-dark triangles and plenty of water and wet wipes are always handy things to carry with you in the car.

3. Planning your journey

Deciding beforehand which routes to take and at which spots to rest will make your drive a less stressful experience - especially if you have little ones in the car! Don’t try to cover too much distance in one day - tiredness and lack of concentration often lead to accidents. When you plan your trip:

Keep an eye on the news, listen to radio reports or check Twitter (e.g. @TrafficSA or #Traffic) for weather predictions, route updates and traffic alerts.

Use apps such as Google maps to plan your routes and to see where the most congested areas are.

Share the responsibility of driving so that you can take turns driving long distances.

4. Driving tips for your road trip

Some things are complete non-negotiables when you’re driving, such as drinking while driving or more specifically driving under the influence of alcohol - the biggest cause of road accidents in South Africa – and texting or talking on your cellphone while driving.

Always wear a safety belt and make sure all the passengers in the vehicle do too. If boisterous children are distracting you, don’t hesitate to make a stop to calm them down, and be sure to pack lots of games to keep them entertained.

Don’t overload your vehicle. Is it really worth being the camper with the coolest gear if it makes you car top heavy and unsafe on the road?

Look out for road hazards, always expecting the unexpected. Advance driving instructors will always tell you to think and look as far ahead as possible, anticipating what fellow drivers - and pedestrians - might do next.

Never disobey the speed limit and keep a safe following distance: Accidents often happen when cars are overtaking one another, misjudging distances and timing.

Be on the lookout for obstructions like potholes or animals, especially in rural areas.