STAY SAFE ON THE ROAD THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

With the festive season upon us we can once again expect high traffic volumes on our roads, as many of us will be heading to holiday spots, or visiting family and friends all over the country. The good news is that each of us can contribute to our own safety and make a difference on our roads.

To help make your journey as safe as possible, some handy tips follow below:

DRINKING AND DRIVING

When driving, the only safe and responsible choice to make is to avoid alcohol completely. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your ability to drive. When driving after consuming alcohol, you are less able to judge distances, speed and less likely to observe traffic signs or other road users.

You may also have a tendency to be overconfident and put yourself and other road users at risk.Even If you have had only a little to drink, don't drive yourself home, rather:

• Take a taxi home, or use public transport;
• Let someone, who hasn't been drinking, drive you home, or
• Stay where you are and drive home the next day.

SPEEDING

Speeding is regarded a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes. The faster you are driving, the harder you will hit an obstacle - most likely a pedestrian or another vehicle. The effectiveness of safety devices such as airbags and safety belts are also severely compromised at high speeds. It is therefore very important that drivers adhere to speed limits at all times.

General speed limits are as follows:

• 60 km/h on a public road within an urban area
• 100 km/h on a public road outside an urban area which is not a freeway; and
• 120 km/h on every freeway.

Road traffic signs, however, can set speed limits lower or higher than general speed limits.

ROADWORTHINESS

Ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy before you start a long journey. Check the following features of your vehicle:

• Seatbelts: Make sure it is not damaged and that it can be extended, fastened and unclasped easily.
• Tyres: The tread depth must be at least 1 mm deep across the whole tyre. Tyre pressure and alignment should be checked before any long trip.
• Shock absorbers: Your vehicle’s shock absorbers must be in good condition, to ensure safe handling and braking.
• Electrical systems: Check that your vehicle’s indicators, wipers, lights, hooter and battery are in good working condition.
• Brakes: Check brake fluid levels and make sure that front and rear brakes are in good working order.

MORE ROAD SAFETY TIPS:

• Be extra mindful of pedestrians and slow down wherever you notice people walking. Half of the Western Cape’s road traffic fatalities are pedestrians.
• Do not use your cellphone while driving.
• Do not drive when you are tired. Have planned stops every two hours to stretch your legs outside your vehicle.
• Ensure that you and your passengers buckle up, including children. Children under the age of three years must be strapped into an age-appropriate safety harness.

To report any traffic related incident, please contact Langeberg’s 24/7 Call Centre

• Call: 0860 88 1111
• WhatsApp: 063
• E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.