Stay safe on roads this Easter

THE Easter holidays have arrived and South Africans are embarking on road trips around the country.

Most of us know our cars should be serviced regularly and have tyres, wipers and lights that are functional.

There are, however, several other things to consider adding to a holiday driving list.

Des Fenner, general manager of Datsun South Africa, shares his top tips.

1.Adhere to speed limits and do not exceed the national limit of 120km/h on the open road. Doing so will:

Relieve the stress that comes with exceeding the speed limit and constantly monitoring traffic;

Help avoid spending holiday money on speeding fines;

Reduce fuel consumption and wear and tear on the vehicle.

Speeding may get you somewhere quicker, but the time you save may be negligible. Travelling 600km at the legal limit will take five hours, while travelling at 130km/h will complete the distance less than 30 minutes quicker.

“Is 30 minutes worth the fatigue and stress involved?” Fenner asks.

2. Don’t overload your vehicle. Overloading will:

Increase braking distance and make it harder to stop in an emergency;

In a front-wheel drive vehicle, reduce road-holding as weight in the rear of the vehicle will raise the front drive wheels, reducing tyre surface on the road;

Make steering imprecise and more difficult.

3. Take regular, short breaks especially if you are travelling with children. This will:

Help avoid squabbling by kids which can distract a driver;

Keep you fresher and more alert when driving long distances;

Add a little time to your journey, which will be less tiring and more enjoyable.

4. Check the load factor and speed rating displayed on the sidewall of tyres:

These two limits should not be exceeded. Exceeding speed limits and load factors on tyres for long periods can cause tyre damage and result in an accident. 5. Pack a healthy snack box: Keeping a cooler box loaded with fruit, sandwiches, nuts, water and drinks makes a short break enjoyable and helps keep you alert. Fast foods are heavier and can make you tired.

“Keeping safe on the road is all about common sense. You should never drive long distances if you haven’t had enough sleep, or have been drinking more than the advisable limit of alcohol.

“Avoid travelling late at night when most of the traffic is composed of heavy vehicles. Avoiding times when drivers may have been on the road for hours and are tired is advisable,” Fenner said.