Johannesburg – As you become ready to go out to your holiday destination this Easter, here is some help with what to pack and how to prepare.
BASIC CAR CHECKS
Firstly, make sure your vehicle’s in tip-top condition: tyres should have the desired tread depth and correct pressures (keep in mind the spare wheel too), and view that the windscreen shock, wipers and brakes absorbers are typical in good condition. Ensure the jack, wheel spanner and warning triangle are present, and take jumper cables too just in case.
EMERGENCY KIT
Take a basic first-aid kit as well as a small “boy scout” kit with basics like a torch (with fresh batteries), duct tape, cable ties, a fire extinguisher and a multi-tool similar to a Leatherman – handy items no matter where you locate yourself.
LEAVE EARLY
Give yourself enough time on the way to reach your destination without rushing, and let for rest stops. Leave early; the quieter, less-stressful roads can make the early wake-up time worth every penny.
CHILD ENTERTAINMENT
Select a portable DVD player to ensure they are entertained on the long journey without you having to field “are we there yet if you have small children? ” questions from the back seat.
The First LINE OF DEFENCE
Buckle up at all times. Seatbelts are still the first line of defence in most crashes. Every scientific study undertaken has shown that seatbelts are the most effective means of reducing death and serious injury in a crash. If everybody wore their seatbelts, sA could probably reduce its annual road deaths from a third. Once they stay in the car instead of being thrown out, in a crash, folks have a five-times greater probability of survival.
Babies and young kids require a child seat, as being an adult safety belt could cause the lap belt to ride up over the stomach and the shoulder belt to slice across the neck, potentially causing the child serious abdominal or neck injuries.
ON THE ROAD
Drive courteously. Always check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes, ensure there’s a sufficient gap in the traffic, and use your indicators. Use the fast lane for overtaking only; don’t make an attempt to play “policeman” and sit in the right-hand lane blocking faster traffic, as this only causes road rage.
And drive at appropriate speeds. Making sure you’re not travelling too slowly when merging onto a lively road, though this not merely means adhering to the speed limit. And please, whatever you do, don’t make u-turns on a freeway.
