Stay in your lane this summer – your guide to responsible holiday driving
And finally the holidays are here, bringing much needed relief for an overworked populace and widespread retreats to holiday hotspots around the country. It’s a time for family, for celebration and for relaxation, but sadly, also a period characterised by far too many fatalities on South Africa’s roads.
During the festive period in 2016, over 1,700 fatalities were recorded on South Africa’s roads, a 5% increase on the year prior. Despite plentiful roadblocks and an ever growing police presence, our roads are becoming more and more dangerous, with the majority of incidents caused by overturning vehicles and head-on collisions.
And while some accidents are unquestionably unpreventable, the onus is on every driver to exercise caution and to know their limits in order to avoid the threat of severe injury.
So what can you do to ensure you keep your family safe on the roads this festive season? Here are a few key tips to help reduce your risk and make this Christmas a merry one.
Don’t be afraid to stop
It can often be tempting to hit the accelerator and motor towards your destination as speedily as possible – after all, you want to get that holiday started and feel the sand between your toes. But given the fact that many accidents are in fact caused by drowsy drivers, it’s important to know your own limits before you push them.
Make sure you stop regularly during your journey and keep yourself hydrated and nourished throughout, ensuring that you pull over or find a rest stop should you find your eyelids drooping. Staying alert is key to staying alive and drivers who compromise on concentration are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk.
Skip that second drink
The festive season is a time for frivolity, and rightly so after a long year, but as has been proven countless times, revelry and roads don’t mix well, with over 50% of all accidents involving at least one party with an alcohol level above the legal limit.
And while you might feel confident that you’re in a fit state to take to the roads after a few beverages, it’s important to realise that limits are there for a reason. While you might be under the impression that you’re just fine, the fact is that even a single drink can lessen your reaction time, leaving you compromised in a situation where split-second decisions can make the difference between life and death.
The legal blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.05g of alcohol per 100ml of blood. What this means is that having more than one glass of wine or cocktail could put you over the legal limit. This can vary from person to person and be influenced by a variety of factors including food intake, but it’s wisest to stick to these and err on the side of caution.
Book a ride
One of the problems many face during the holiday season is that they don’t have the easy access to public transport or taxis that they might do at home, thus leaving them with little choice after a night of festivities but to drive themselves home. As such, it’s important before you head out to assess your options and ensure you have the relevant contact details for a taxi service. By planning in advance, you’ll be far less likely to make unwise driving decisions.
Services like Uber and Taxify are now widely available even in small towns and certain insurers also offer complimentary pick-up services for their clients. So make sure to check your policy and understand your options upfront.
Ultimately, your best bet for a safe festive season is to stay off the roads wherever possible, particularly if any alcohol has passed through your system. It might be tempting to throw caution to the wind, especially if you’re only travelling a short distance, but accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. So to keep the season festive, rather be safe than sorry.
About WeDrive
MiWay policyholders with the MiHelp option enabled can book 6 free trips a year with WeDrive. Book a WeDrive trip by calling 08600 767 64. Bookings can be made from a week to 2 hours in advance. Two drivers are dispatched, one of whom will drive you home in your vehicle. The WeDrive service is available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and George. Ensure that bookings are made before 01h00. The earliest pick up will be done at 05h30 and the last will be at 03h00.
For more information visit www.miway.co.za