Top road tips to keep you safe in the holidays

WHETHER you are travelling across South Africa or enjoying time out on home ground, it is always good to make travelling as safe as possible for everyone using the road.

“We focus on promoting making the road safe for all users – from cyclists and pedestrians to passengers and drivers, by encouraging vigilance and caution on the road,” says Eugene Beck, chief executive of RoadCover.

Here are important road tips to help make sure you arrive safely at your destination.

Whether you are travelling near or far, always keep the following in mind:

Plan your route: know where you are going and how to get there. This will avoid confusion and keep you out of harm’s way when using a GPS or smart phone.

Car maintenance: check your tyre pressure, car levels such as water, oil and brake fluid and clean your windscreen. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and that the scheduled services are up to date.

Self-maintenance: Before embarking on your trip make sure you have enough sleep and never drink under the influence of alcohol.

Practise defensive driving. This means studying the road conditions as well as your surroundings such at vehicles, pedestrians and any potential obstacles such as road works, a stationery vehicle or even potholes.

Being aware of your surroundings will help you react in time, which can often mean avoiding an accident.

It is important to keep in mind that there are many people using the road: drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorbikes.

We all share the road with each other and respecting the rules of the road is important for us all and can play a significant role in keeping the road safe for all users.