Road Travel Tips for the Easter Holidays

Easter is a notoriously dangerous time on the South African roads. Make sure you stay safe this Easter by following these tips.

Take your vehicle for a “checkup”.

Have your vehicle checked before you leave on holiday. Basic checks would include checking tyres, battery, belts, fluid, aircon and oil.

Get a good night’s sleep.

Getting all the last-minute things done before you go on holiday, can be time consuming, but staying up late is unwise. Have a good night’s sleep before a big trip. Many road accidents are caused by tired drivers.

Stay charged.

A road trip is no fun if your car won’t start. Have your battery checked to make sure it’s strong. You could use a little baking soda and water to clean the terminals.

Gear up for safety.

Check in your boot and make sure you have water, warm blankets, a torch, a spare tyre and tools, a first aid kit and remember to charge your cell phone prior to departure.

Pack smart.

Check your vehicle’s load capacity to make sure you aren’t overloading the car. Remember that fuel economy is reduced with extra cargo. Roof-top boxes should only be filled with light bulky items. Heavy loads on the roof will make the vehicle difficult to maneuver. Remove the roof rack when not in use as it will significantly worsen your fuel economy.

Take a back seat.

Ensure that child seats are secured and there’s shade protection from the hot sun in the back of the car. Check the back seats for small objects that could be choking hazards.

Buckle up.

All passengers – particularly children – must be wearing seat belts, and pets should also be secured safely.

Number it.

Have all emergency contact numbers handy. Yu never know when you might need to call for a little road side assistance.

Wake it. Shake it.

Avoid taking medication that causes drowsiness and do not drink any alcohol if you plan on driving.

Arrive alive.

Stick to the speed limit and safe following distances.  Be observant and always expect the unexpected.