Plan a safe, hassle-free holiday trip this December

Keep your family safe on the roads this festive season - all you have to do is follow a few simple rules. (Image: Danie van der Merwe, via Wikimedia Commons)

South Africa's roads are the sixth most deadly in the world, according to a 2010 United Nations poll. And local statistics seem to back this up: last December, road-accident casualties exceeded the 1,300 mark in one month alone, with most occurring in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Alcohol abuse remains the leading cause of fatalities, with six out of 10 drivers who died having had dangerously high blood-alcohol levels.

Not drinking and driving is a no-brainer, but what else can you do to keep you and your family safe on the road this holiday season? Midas recommends the following planning and road travel trips to get you to your holiday destination and back in security and comfort.

• Discuss the route with your family or other passengers and map it out, including regular stops along the way. Investigate roadworks, road closures and detours, so you can plan for any delays. Useful apps include Tom Tom, Waze, Go! Travel South Africa, and Google Maps.
• Check the weather beforehand to know what road conditions and potential hazards to expect. Late-afternoon thunderstorms and cloudbursts are particularly prevalent on the Highveld and in KwaZulu-Natal.
• Have your car serviced Check tyre treads and pressure, oil and water levels, battery and windscreen wipers, and if necessary replace the fan belt, air filters or spark plugs. If your vehicle is no longer under warranty, visit any Midas Group-owned ACD workshop around the country for professional, cost-efficient vehicle service and maintenance. (Do the same checks before you begin the journey home again.) [It's a good idea to have your car serviced about a week or so before you depart on holiday - just in case any further problems appear after servicing or anything needs a tweak... the few days' grace allows you time to get it back to the mechanics in time for your holiday - Editor]
• Rest both before and during the trip In the few days leading up to a long road trip, get plenty of good quality sleep - at least eight hours a night. When you're on the road, 15-minute rests every two hours will ensure you keep awake and alert. If you're struggling to keep your eyes open, or are having to turn up the radio or roll down the window to keep yourself awake, pull over and stop immediately.
• Consider signing up with the Automobile Association (www.aa.co.za), or a roadside-assistance programme like Liquid Capital or SOS Squad. Alternatively, sign up with your car brand's manufacturer programme, such as Volkswagen Alert and Alert Plus, GM Total Confidence or Toyota Total Care.
• Pack properly Don't overload your car with luggage (check in the manual for its maximum carrying weight), and adjust the tyre pressure for heavier loads. Keep the back shelf free of baggage so you have a clear view of the road behind in your rear-view mirror. Secure heavier loose items so they won't fly around and possibly cause damage or injury if you have to brake suddenly.
• Stock up on the essentials, like wet wipes, plastic cups, a cooler box stocked with healthy, nourishing precooked or fresh food, spare change for toll roads, a first-aid kit, a torch, jumper cables, a spare tyre and of course a car jack. Much of what you need can be found at your nearest Midas store - visit www.midas.co.za.
• Drive for optimum fuel efficiency To conserve fuel, avoid making sudden starts and stops, carrying unnecessary weight in the car or exceeding the 120kph speed limit on open roads.
• Follow the rules of the road Buckle up, don't talk on your cellphone while driving, keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, obey speed limits and use your indicators.