The ABCs of safe driving over the holiday season

13 December 2022: It’s that time of the year when the roads start getting congested with buses, taxis and cars transporting families, friends and workers to favourite holiday destinations and home to their loved ones. While there is often a driving need to reach the destination as quickly as possible, enjoying the journey along the way is a recommended option. Taking it slower and appreciating our beautiful country could also mean a safer journey.

The most important element to an incident-free journey and arriving safely at your destination starts with you! It’s up to you to understand and follow the rules of the road and practice safe driving to protect both you and your passengers, and other road users, including pedestrians, over the festive season.

It is important to prepare well for the trip, whether you’re travelling for just a few hours or embarking on a long road trip with overnight stops. To ensure both you and your vehicle are road-ready, WesBank has outlined some road safety tips to take note of before setting out, starting with the ABCs:

As the driver, always be aware and alert as to what is happening on the road around you to anticipate any potential problems, while focusing on the road ahead. Check your side and rear-view mirrors frequently. Keep a safe following distance and always adhere to the rules of the road and the speed limit.

Brakes, battery and the high beam of your lights, together with your tyres’ treads and pressure (don’t forget to check the spare tyre too), windscreen wipers, and oil and fluid levels such as coolant, power steering and brake fluid, should be checked thoroughly before setting off on your road trip. Ensuring your vehicle is in good working condition will go a long way to ensuring your safety while driving.

Do all the critical checks before you leave, not only on your vehicle. Check that your car licence disc and driver’s licence are up to date. Check that you have important phone numbers such as the SAPS, ambulance, vehicle insurer and a family contact saved on your phone for easy access in case of an emergency. It is also recommended to prepare a physical list of these emergency and roadside assist numbers. Check your route – the use of online maps will assist you to plan stops and determine the safest and best route to take and have some backup directions as a contingency. If your route includes tollgates, make sure you have budgeted for these costs.

Once you have done the ABC of checks and you are ready to set off, ensure you are well-rested and sufficiently nourished and hydrated for the drive. Avoid foods and drinks with high sugar levels – pack healthy snacks and plenty of bottled water for drinking. Besides drinking water, store a big bottle of water for general use, and remember to pack a powerful torch, a reflective emergency warning triangle sign and battery jumper cables.

It is also advisable to stop every 200kms or two hours along the route to avoid drowsiness: find a safe place to stop the car off the road to get out, stretch and walk around for a few minutes. If you are planning an overnight stop, book your accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment. Don’t forget to pack chargers for all electronic equipment and cell phones; a fully charged power bank is useful too, if you have one. A double adapter or multi-plug is also a good option, as not all places of accommodation offer these.

Traveling long distance with children can be challenging. Fit the car seat best suited to the ages and size of the children as their safety is paramount. Make sure there is enough entertainment to keep them occupied, including a supply of healthy snacks and drinks. Also ensure the car’s first-aid kit is well stocked and check the expiry dates on all medicines.

If you are driving across the border, you could find yourself in a sticky situation if you’ve missed a crucial bit of paperwork, such as a border letter or certified copies of the vehicle’s registration or licence papers. The driver who owns the car being taken out of the country can take the original registration documents to a Commissioner of Oaths to get the copy certified. However, if the driver is not the registered owner of the vehicle, they will need the above documentation, plus two additional letters: a police affidavit and a letter of authority from the registered owner, granting permission for the vehicle to cross the border for the agreed timeframe. Drivers of rental vehicles need a letter from the rental company giving full consent for the vehicle to be taken out of the country.

Financed vehicles can only be taken out of the country with permission from the financing bank. WesBank has simplified this process for its customers through its online self-service portal. Here, drivers can download copies of their vehicle registration papers as well as digitally request a border letter, which will still need to be certified.

It is also advisable for the driver to contact their insurance company to check that their comprehensive policy covers cross-border travel. Failure to do so could place the driver at risk of no cover should the vehicle be stolen or damaged outside of South Africa’s borders.

“Driving for long hours on busy roads requires patience, focused concentration and staying alert, especially if you’re traveling with young children. Always remain aware of other cars on the road, drive within the regulated speed limit and remember, safety first. Be mindful at all times. A little respect shown to other drivers goes a long way on the open road,” says Kutlwano Mogatusi, WesBank Motors Communications Specialist.

“We encourage everyone to be well prepared before setting off on the road – both for their safety and that of their loved ones, as well as all other road users. Let’s all arrive alive this holiday season,” concludes Mogatusi.

Content and images supplied via MotorPress