Since worldwide journey isn’t actually potential, South Africans must go for home journey. This pattern is prone to proceed and we’ll see extra vehicles hit the highway in the course of the Easter holidays.

Marius Neethling, Underwriting Supervisor: Private Traces at Santam says: “Whereas a highway journey is definitely one of the best ways to discover our stunning nation, it additionally signifies that there shall be extra vehicles on the highway and extra threat of harm. ‘accidents.’

Neethling offers 4 ideas under on how you can shield your automobile and household throughout your highway journey by way of cautious checks and good planning.

READ: 7 of the perfect KZN highway journeys

1. Checks to be completed earlier than leaving

Should you plan to drive lengthy distances, make certain your automobile is in prime situation, particularly in inclement climate circumstances.

Tire Upkeep: Guarantee that the wheels are aligned and balanced, the tires are in good situation, the tread is inside authorized limits, and your tire strain is inside specification from the producer. Bear in mind to verify your spare tire.

2. Verify your oil and your automobile’s coolant.

Checking the windshield and wipers: Be sure that your windshield is freed from cracks and stone chips that may affect your visibility. Your entrance and rear wipers needs to be in good working order to take away rain and particles from the glass. Remember to fill your windshield washer fluid.

E-book this service: to keep away from the inconveniences and prices related to a mechanical breakdown, it’s sensible to respect the upkeep intervals prescribed by the producer of your automobile.

How is your paperwork? Getting caught with an expired driver’s license card or license disc is an issue you are able to do with out whereas on trip, so ensure you observe the legal guidelines.

Retailer your emergency provides: Put money into a primary help equipment that will help you cope with travel-related complications like movement illness and small cuts. A torch, glow-in-the-dark triangles, and loads of water and moist wipes are at all times useful issues to take with you within the automobile.

3. Plan your journey

Deciding upfront which routes to take and the place to relaxation will make your driving much less tense, particularly if in case you have little ones within the automobile! Do not attempt to cowl an excessive amount of distance in a day – fatigue and lack of focus usually result in accidents. When planning your journey:

Control the information, take heed to radio experiences or verify Twitter (eg @TrafficSA or #Site visitors) for climate forecasts, route updates and visitors alerts.

Use apps like Google Maps to plan your routes and see the place probably the most congested areas are.

Share the duty of driving as a way to take turns driving lengthy distances.

READ: The right way to plan the right highway journey

4. Driving ideas to your highway journey

Some issues are fully non-negotiable when driving, similar to ingesting and driving or extra particularly driving inebriated – the main explanation for highway accidents in South Africa – and texting or discuss in your cellular phone whereas driving.

All the time put on a seat belt and ensure all passengers within the automobile do too. If noisy kids are distracting you, be happy to cease to calm them down and make sure to pack loads of video games to maintain them entertained.

Don’t overload your automobile. Is it actually value it to be the camper with the good gear if it makes your automobile heavy and harmful on the highway?

Take note of the risks of the highway, at all times anticipating the sudden. Superior driving instructors will at all times inform you to assume and look so far as potential, anticipating what different drivers – and pedestrians – may do subsequent.

By no means disobey the velocity restrict and preserve a secure distance: Crashes usually occur when vehicles overtake one another, misjudging distances and timing.

Be looking out for obstacles similar to potholes or animals, particularly in rural areas.

READ: Security on the highway: issues to verify earlier than you hit the highway

Picture courtesy of iStock / @Halfpoint