The Automobile Association (AA) is urging government and motorists to do better to prevent road fatalities during this Easter long weekend.
Scores of holidaymakers are set to hit the road this weekend. The Easter period in 2022 saw 161 recorded road deaths which increased to 225 fatalities last year, an almost 40% increase year-on-year.
“Government needs to acknowledge that campaigns at specific times of the year – although well-intentioned – will not deliver any positive outcomes if proper traffic law enforcement and road safety education is not also conducted every other day of the year. Bad driving behaviour can only change if there is consistent application of road traffic laws and regulations and if this isn’t done for all 52 weeks of the year there is little hope of changing it during a two- or three-week blitz at Easter or at the end of the year,” said the AA.
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The AA’s Eleanor Mavimbela said the yearly increase in road deaths and the country’s overall horrific annual road fatality statistics, make it impossible for the country to achieve the UN Global Road Safety goal of reducing traffic deaths by half by 2030.
Mavimbela added that while government has much to consider in terms of improving road safety, road users must also take responsibility and obey the rules of the road.
Ahead of the Easter weekend the AA also offers some tips of travellers to ensure their journeys are safe. These include:
- Watch the speed limit – not the clock
Speeding is responsible for almost 30% of all fatal road crashes. It is more important to get to a destination than how long it takes to get there. Remember, the speed limit is not a target!
- Buckle up all passengers
Studies conducted throughout the world have shown that seatbelts save lives when worn and fitted correctly. The use of seatbelts has shown to reduce the probability of being killed by 40-50% for drivers and front seat passengers, and by about 25% for passengers in rear seats.
3. Check rear-view mirrors diligently
The rear-view mirror promotes an alert driving experience by allowing drivers to see behind their vehicle without turning their head. By checking the rear-view mirror, drivers can monitor traffic and prepare for any potential dangers.
4. Stop when tired
Tired drivers have slower reaction times and suffer from reduced attention, awareness, and ability to control their vehicles. Research suggests driving tired can be as dangerous as drunk driving. The AA again urges all drivers to stop every two hours or every 200km to stretch their legs and get fresh air before continuing with their trips.
5. Hands off the phone, eyes on the road
Anything that diverts attention away from the main task of driving is a distraction. Anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road and which diverts a driver’s attention from the road is dangerous. This includes cellphone usage, eating, or do anything other than focusing on the road ahead.
6. Share the road
Crashes can be avoided by identifying and sharing the road with other users. Always recognise that pedestrians are especially vulnerable because they do not have the same protection drivers have in a vehicle. Drivers have a responsibility to take every precaution to avoid hitting pedestrians.
7. Keep a safe following distance
A safe following distance is one of the golden rules of being a smart driver. It helps maintain a steady speed and gives time and space to decelerate or accelerate smoothly when needed. It also provides an escape route if needed.
8. Overtake safely
Overtaking when it is not safe to do so accounts for a high rate of fatalities on South African roads. Only overtake when it is legal to do so (e.g., not over a solid white line), and when the oncoming traffic is clear enough that it is safe to do so. Never overtake when you cannot see any oncoming traffic.
“It is also critical that vehicles are in good mechanical condition before any journey – especially a long journey – is taken. If you have any doubts about the condition of a vehicle it is critical to have it checked out before you travel,” urges the AA.
