Heritage Day, September 24, is just around the corner and many South Africans could be planning to take Monday, September 23, off so they can enjoy a long weekend.
The downside to this is that long weekends also involve more tyres on the road, a greater likelihood of increased alcohol consumption and a rise in reckless driving.
Marius Kemp, the head of personal underwriting at Santam, said that with careful preparation and vigilance, South Africans could enjoy the long weekend responsibly.
Kemp noted that the latest report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation found that in South Africa, the number of road crash fatalities has declined over the past five years.
However, South Africa has a long way to go towards creating safer roads, with 2023 seeing more 10 100 fatal crashes that resulted in 11 883 fatalities.
Kemp said 60% of the fatal crashes happened on weekends and many of them were preventable.
He offered these tips to help ensure a safe and enjoyable time on the road:
Prep your ride
A cause of road accidents that has become more prevalent over the past 2 years is the poor state of many South African roads.
Kemp said that meant drivers needed to guard against speeding and drunk driving on unfamiliar roads.
“You simply don’t know what lies beyond the next corner. Doing safety and roadworthy checks on your vehicle before heading out on a road trip is, therefore, even more important.
“Key safety checks include verifying that your tyres are properly inflated and have sufficient tread, as worn-out tyres are more susceptible to damage from potholes.”
Brake functionality should also be tested to ensure quick and effective stopping power, especially when driving on uneven or slippery surfaces.
Motorists should check that windscreen wipers, headlights and indicators were working correctly as non-functioning lights could be dangerous when street lights were out or road markings had faded.
“Lastly, inspect your suspension system to handle the bumps and dips caused by uneven roads, and always make sure you have a fully equipped spare tyre and the necessary tools in case of emergencies.”
Check-in on your insurance cover
Kemp said that once your plans were made, physical and mental health were in check and the vehicle was roadworthy, the next important step was an insurance check.
“Read through your insurance policy to make sure you understand what you’re covered for, whether there are any terms and conditions you need to be aware of and if there are any value-added services that may be available to you.
“A good insurer should make services available to clients like free legal advice, telephonic route assistance and emergency accommodation.”
Regardless of which insurer was used, car insurance would not cover any damage resulting from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or reckless behaviour.
Curb your need for speed
Speeding remained the biggest culprit behind accidents. Road safety awareness initiative Arrive Alive found that when driving at a speed of 110km/h, with a reaction time of one second, the average driver would travel 90m before being able to come to a complete stop.
The delay increases significantly when the road surface was wet.
“There are several simple but effective ways in which you can avoid speeding over the long weekend. You could start with leaving early and giving yourself plenty of time to reach your destination and enjoy the ride.”
Kemp said that as you drove, pay attention to speed warnings on your GPS system as well as road signs, especially those that indicated upcoming hazards.
“It’s also useful to plan your route beforehand to familiarise yourself with the roads you need to take as well as any residential areas, school zones or construction sites along the way.”
Ditch that drink
Kemp said the Heritage Day weekend might call for some much-needed celebration, but driving under the influence of alcohol was a definite no-go.
The risk of drinking any alcoholic beverage before driving, regardless of the alcohol content, was not worth taking.
“Rather than taking the risk, why not delay your gratification until you’ve reached your destination and can consume alcohol safely and in a relaxed setting? If you’ve already consumed alcohol, call a cab service or arrange for a lift home.”
Depending on your insurer, you mighty even have access to an SOS service that could help you out.
“Apart from the benefits of putting safety measures in place for the good of yourself and your fellow motorists, there’s the added benefit of knowing that no matter what happens, nothing will get in the way of a seamless claims process should anything go wrong.
“A memorable long weekend is even better when you have absolute peace of mind.”