The Easter holidays and long weekends are a time when many of us like to take to the road to visit loved ones. Whether you are hitting the road or hosting friends and family at your home, here are some guidelines, to keep you and your family safe.  

Safety on the road

In 2020, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) stated that there were 12 956 deaths on South African roads in 2019, costing the economy over R176bn. Earlier this year, the minister of transport reported a total of 1 685 fatalities during December 2021 and January 2022.

While there are various factors that contribute to road accidents and fatalities, human factor is reported to be the leading cause, resulting in about 80% (percent) of the occurrences of road accidents in South Africa. Follow these guidelines to make sure you’re safe:

• Failing to prepare = preparing to fail: Always do pre-trip checks, before travelling. While this is easy to do, it is also easy to overlook. Plan your trip ahead of time and check things like traffic conditions and weather reports.
• Check that your vehicle is in the optimal condition for you to be able to reach your destination safely.

The minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm so make sure you check them and have them replaced if they show signs of wear.

Check the tyre pressure as well as vehicle fluid levels including engine oil, coolant/antifreeze, and screen wash. Also check lights, indicators, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering, and the exhaust system for any faults.

• Stick to the speed limit. Speeding is unsafe, highly irresponsible, and a sure-fire way to risk not only your life but the lives of your passengers and other road users.   
• Always make sure you and your passengers are buckled up.
• Keep a safe following distance, especially if it is raining to provide you with enough time to react in case of an emergency stop.
• Avoid any interferences while driving, including using your cellphone. Rather opt for a hands-free kit. Also, ensure that, if you are travelling with children, that their mobile devices are fully charged and pre-loaded with content to keep them occupied during the journey.
• If you get tired, take breaks at the nearest petrol station to rest, stretch your legs, get some fresh air and something to drink.

Safety at home

The following precautions will help ensure that your home isn’t at risk while you are away:

• Make sure that your alarm system is always in working order.
• Have emergency numbers including details for the South African Police Service (SAPS), insurance company, emergency response, and your security company, visible and placed at a centralised spot such as the fridge. 
• For those leaving their homes to visit family or friends:

Make sure all the doors are locked, and easily accessible windows are closed.

Have somebody remove any mail that might have been placed in your mailbox,  this includes any junk mail.

Don’t close your curtains and use a time-switch to turn your lights on at random times in the evening, rather than programming them to switch on at the same time every day.

Momentum Insure wants to keep you safe wherever you are but especially while travelling, to help reduce the tragic loss of life resulting from last year's 189 crashes that claimed the lives of 235 South Africans nationwide over the Easter holiday period.

Momentum Insure hopes that these tips will help keep you and your loved ones safe when travelling, and keep your most precious possessions safe, at home, for when you return.