Safety first

By Charlene Clarke

The next time you and nine of your friends meet for cocktails consider this – the chances are excellent that one of you will prang your car this year. According to the Automobile Association (AA), there were about 9,2 million vehicles on our roads last year and 900 000 of those were involved in an accident.

Do the maths – that means that almost l0% of all cars in South Africa crashed. That figure doesn’t simply mean inconvenience and repair costs; the sad fact is that about 42 lives are lost on SA’s roads every single day, says the AA, while many people are seriously injured. These accidents have a financial cost too which equals a staggering 3% of our GDP.

In fact, the situation is so dire that the AA predicts that, by 2020, more people will die from road accidents than from HIV/Aids. But we don’t have to resign ourselves to adding to this toll – there are many ways to improve our safety on the roads. Here are eight to starting putting in practice – now!

Lead with Lights

Driving with your lights on dramatically improves the visibility of your car. This has proved so effective in reducing road deaths that it’s the law in many European countries, and the AA are advocating to make it the law in SA for certain categories of road users. But don’t wait for the politicians; starting today, make it a habit to drive with your lights on.

Maintain your vehicle

Don’t try to save money by not replacing key safety components such as tyres and brakes. In wet weather the grip on your tyres is dramatically reduced as a thin layer of water forms a slippery barrier between the rubber of your tyres and the road. New tyres have much better traction, making emergency braking safer by reducing skidding.

Don’t drink and drive

This is just plain stupid, so don’t do it – ever. Also, never drive with a serious hangover – research has shown that a severely hungover driver is even more dangerous than a drunk one.

Use your seat belt

If you’re inclined not to be bothered, Google images of people who have gone through the wind-shield to see how scarred and disfigured their faces are from the glass. This goes for the back-seat, too – if the car rolls and you get flung out into the road, you’re much less likely to survive than if you’re snugly strapped in by a belt.

Watch out for pedestrians and cyclists

These account for a high-percentage of SA’s road casualties as they’re small and easy to miss, but they also have a right to use our roads safely. Keep a close eye out, especially in inclement weather where visibility is compromised.

Maintain a generous following distance

Rob Handfield-Jones, founder of an SA driving-skills company, says that when motorists follow too closely behind other vehicles they limit their visual field and cannot spot potential emergencies. ‘By the time they see the problem, it’s too late for them to do anything about it,’ he says. Even if someone is annoying you by moving slowly in the fast lane, resist the urge to drive on their bums – it’s dangerous for both of you.

Speed Kills

You might have to explain this fact sweetly to your man – research done by Brake and Direct Line Car Insurance in the UK shows that 33% of male drivers speed every day or several times a week, compared with 14% of women. A speeding car can’t be stopped in time to avoid an accident, so just don’t do it.

Stick to the rules of the Road

Believe it or not, they’re there for your safety and, if everyone stuck to them, road accidents wouldn’t happen. Don’t jump lights; stop at stop signs; don’t reverse for longer than is strictly necessary, and don’t let yourself be distracted while driving. Remember, accidents happen quickly, and every time you climb into your car you make yourself vulnerable. Make every effort not to be a statistic.