Safety tips for the festive season

Some helpful tips to share with friends and family...

  • Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s licence with you.
  • Plan the route to your holiday destination and allow yourself enough time to reach the destination.
  • Make sure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure. All lights and indicators, windscreens, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering, shock absorbers, exhaust system and tyres should be carefully examined for faults.
  • Do not overload.
  • Try to avoid driving after dark if possible.
  • Have a good rest before you embark on your journey.
  • Take safety breaks every 2 hours or 200km. Rest, have an energy drink and continue once well rested.
  • Do not drink and drive.
  • Try to recognise potentially dangerous drivers on and pedestrians alongside the road and keep well clear of them.
  • Be visible – drive with your lights on.
  • Headlights should be dipped well before an approaching vehicle is within the range of the main beam.
  • Always wear your seat belt and see that everyone in the car is wearing theirs.
  • Drive defensively.
  • Stay within the speed limit at all times.
  • Only overtake when it is absolutely safe to do so.
  • Maintain at least a 2-second following distance - this distance should be increased at night, in foggy or rainy conditions and when the road is wet.
  • Expect others to not be as obedient to the law as yourself.
  • Avoid distractions on the road such as texting, conversations on cellular phones etc.
  • Be courteous towards fellow road users - keep your temper and resist the temptation to retaliate
  • Know your emergency numbers.

Emergency numbers to save:

  • SAU Roadside: 0800 002 883
  • Police Flying Squad: 10111
    (Phone before an emergency to find out your local area number for a more direct line)
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Crime Stop: 08600 10111
  • Cellphone Emergency: 112
    (MTN, Vodacom and Cell C)
  • ER24: 084 124
  • Netcare: 082 911
  • Poison Hotline: 0861 555 777
  • Fire: 10177


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SAU PUBLISHED: December 2016