MORE and more people will be heading to various destinations for the December holidays.
But it's important and safer to travel in a roadworthy car than be sorry.
The Automobile Association (AA) said taking a chance with unroadworthy vehicles and tyres is not worth the risk as this could lead to serious consequences for the driver and loved ones.
"A mechanically sound vehicle, with tyres that are in good condition, is essential to ensuring a safe journey. If you have any doubt as to the quality and condition of any part of your vehicle, check it out before you leave,” said the association.
AA said traffic on the road is going to get worse in the coming days.
"Schools across South Africa officially close on 13 December and reopen on 17 January 2024. The expected increase in traffic volumes on the country’s major routes means road users will have to ensure they are vigilant and focused on the road," said the association.
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AA again urges all motorists, passengers, and pedestrians to be responsible, and play their part in making holiday traffic safer.
“Traditionally this is an extremely dangerous time to be on our roads; fatalities over this period spike, especially on those routes where volumes increase substantially such as the N1 from Polokwane to Cape Town through Gauteng and Bloemfontein, the N2 along the Indian Ocean coastline, the N3 from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal, the N4 through Mpumalanga, and the N7 from Cape Town through Namaqualand to the Namibian border. All road users should be aware of these increases to traffic volumes, and adjust their behaviour accordingly,” said the AA.
Apart from this, the AA said a good attitude while on the road is vital.
“Law enforcement efforts will intensify during the holiday period but it’s still the responsibility of every road user to be courteous to others and to observe the rules of the road. Speed limits are not targets, and seatbelts are not just accessories. Drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and even those on motorbikes should not use electronic devices, and everyone – including front passengers – should focus on the road,” said the AA.
“Using personal security devices such as the AA’s Rem-I device is an excellent way of providing an extra layer of security for your and your family’s personal safety," they added.
The Rem-I is a small personal hand-held device which, once activated, it alerts the closest armed security provider to the user’s location of a distress, and immediately dispatches assistance.
