Easter holidays are synonymous with high rate of road deaths

Jeff Osborne, the CEO of the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) announced that the RMI initiated a road-safety campaign aimed at ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy for journeys undertaken over the forthcoming Easter holiday period. The RMI has obtained a commitment from a selection of the country`s private and municipal vehicle- testing stations to conduct free vehicle safety checks between 11 and 21 April 2011.

The checks ------ carried out in support of the RMI - affiliated National Vehicle Testing Association`s (NVTA`s) championing of the United Nations Global Decade of Action for Road Safety, a project backed by the South African Department of Transport. -----will focus on critical safety items, including:

• tyres
• brakes, including parking brake
• steering mechanisms
• front and rear suspension
• lights and indicators
• wind screen wipers
• seat belts
• exhaust systems
• wheel alignment

In a similar campaign ---held prior to the 2010 Easter holiday period--- some 78% of vehicles tested were found to require repairs relating to the above. "The aim is to help to reduce the high levels of road deaths and injuries that occur over this period" said Osborne.

For details of the participating testing stations, contact the RMI`s regional offices at 031 266 7031.

With the Easter holidays in mind, the Automobile Association (AA) cautioned motorists travelling on the roads during this period to take extra care. This year marks the launch of the Decade of Action for Road Safety in May with the aim of reducing fatalities by 50% during the next 10 years.

December 2010 saw just over 1000 people killed on South African roads, and in 2009 there were 13 500 people killed.

To stay alive and arrive, the golden rules are straightforward. These are simplistic and the basis of ensuring the need to be ingrained in every decision made by responsible motorists on the roads:

• buckle up;
• maintain a safe following distance;
• don`t drink and drive;
• don`t speed;
• keep the vehicle lights on; and
• stay alert.

Remember many South African roads are often potholed, in a poor condition and under construction. I t is therefore better to travel during daylight hours when visibility is better.

Pieter Rautenbach

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