Curb the Carnage: Keep your vehicle roadworthy
With the Easter holiday period coming up in just a couple of weeks, Dewald Ranft, Chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud affiliate of the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) Organisation, says the industry body is deeply concerned about the continued loss of life on our roads, particularly in accidents involving heavy vehicles.
On February 19, a bus transporting American tourists to Kruger National Park overturned just outside Dullstroom injuring all 10 passengers, on 9 March nine church-goers died when a bus overturned in KZN, on 11 March a City of Ekurhuleni bus rolled on the R21, killing 13 people and injuring 45 and the next day 19 learners were injured when their bus crashed into a truck in Germiston.
The Dullstroom accident was reportedly due to heavy rain and wet road conditions, a burst tyre was apparently the cause of the KZN accident and while the cause of the R21 accident is yet to be determined, the City of Ekurhuleni hastily clarified their bus was roadworthy. It is alleged the truck involved in the Germiston accident had come to a sudden stop and the bus driver couldn’t prevent the collision.
Ranft reiterates the importance of vehicles being roadworthy as a fundamental of safe driving, but adds there are many other factors that contribute to accident prevention.
He acknowledges South African motorists face a myriad of unique challenges, like the state of our roads, lack of law enforcement and corruption in the licensing departments, all of which contribute significantly to the high death toll on our roads.
“Because our roads are so unsafe, motorists have a higher responsibility to ensure their own safety. Start with a roadworthy vehicle.
“A roadworthy vehicle lowers the risk of an accident. Regular servicing and maintenance at an accredited workshop provides you with peace of,” he says. “Then there are other things, such as the use of seatbelts for adults and children no matter what age, driver behaviour and planning your route.”
MIWA says these 10 things must be checked regularly:
- Lights and indicators – Check that all your lights are working correctly. Check headlights (including bright beam bulbs), fog lights, indicators and brake lights.
- Brakes – Check for any signs of wear or damage, including the handbrake. Any uneven wear, strange noises or vibrations from your vehicle’s braking system should be checked and fixed as soon as possible.
- Safety equipment – Like emergency triangles and tyre kit. Also include things like a torch, reflective vest or tape, extra water and a first aid kit.
- Tyres – Inflate tyres to the recommended pressure (find this on the inside door panel on the driver’s side or near the fuel tank) and ensure tyre tread is checked too. SA regulation stipulates that tyre tread depth must measure at a minimum of one millimetre across the circumference of the tyre. Always have the spare tyre checked too.
- Radiator – Don’t ignore any fluid leaks or overheating. If you notice a green, orange or yellow liquid under your vehicle, it means there is a cooling liquid leak.
- Fluid levels – Checking the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid levels might help avoid accidents or unnecessary breakdowns. Brake fluid and power steering fluid must also be checked. Keep an extra bottle of water in your vehicle at all times for emergencies.
- Wiper blades and windscreen – These should not squeak, streak or screech. Check your windscreen for any cracks as these may deteriorate on your trip and impact visibility.
- Battery – Ensure that the battery connection points and cables are all tightly fastened. Also, check that the battery voltage is still at an optimal level. Should you see any warning signs such as dimming of lights while idling or clicking when starting ignition, it may be time to get the battery changed.
- Inspect electronic components – Check all the electronic components, including your air conditioning, radio, GPS and sensors. These systems are responsible for providing information and warnings about your car’s performance so it is important to make sure that they are working correctly.
- Licence disc and insurance – Is this up to date? Ensure you know what you are covered for with your insurance.
“Your vehicle needs to be able to handle whatever is thrown at it on the road, as do you as the driver. Get the above checks done at an accredited workshop, especially in advance of a long road trip, such as many of us may be making over Easter. Once you are sure your vehicle is sound then you need to also do your bit when travelling and drive responsibly, always obeying road signs and never placing others in danger by overtaking irresponsibly. ”
Find an accredited MIWA workshop at www.miwa.org.za