Easter is road-trip season in South Africa, with many people looking to take advantage of the long weekend by travelling to outlying holiday spots.
As drivers take to the roads it is key to take precaution and carefully prepare when it comes to route mapping, as crime-related incidents along the routes using Google Maps continue to rise.
This is the opinion of Siyakhe Masiye, spokesperson at MiWay Insurance, who says that although GPS systems can be immensely beneficial when travelling via lesser-known routes, it is important to review the route that the system provides.
“Preferably, you should never follow the navigation blindly; have an idea of the highways you will be using, making sure to check their safety ratings and warnings ahead of time,” said Masiye.
Main routes such as the N1 towards Limpopo, the N3 towards Durban and those to other destinations around the Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Bloemfontein are some of the most popular for domestic travel over Easter, said Masiye.
“However, reaching the hidden gems within crowd-favourite locations can take motorists off the beaten track. On these kinds of trips, road conditions may vary, and emergency services might be less accessible.
“Therefore, safe and responsible driving habits should be a top priority.”
Masiye provides South Africans with tips for safe road tripping this Easter break.
Double check your GPS
One international study found that the use of GPS devices can reduce the number of kilometres spent on the road by 16% and the time spent travelling in unknown areas by 18%.
“Many popular apps offer live updates and confirmations from other users for better navigation,” Masiye elaborates.
“When in unknown areas, make sure you stick to well-lit, busy roads especially at night, using apps with real-time updates.
“Reviewing your trip beforehand can also help you to steer clear of high-risk zones and provide you with an indication of any important and useful landmarks along the way.
“Make sure to tell a close friend or family where you are going. If possible, share your route and expected arrival time. Google Maps has a feature that lets you share your live location. This means your trusted person can keep an eye on where you are.”
Keep calm and stay alert
Navigating your way along gravel roads or into wooded areas where there may be a number of road obstacles and foliage will require focus and concentration. Take regular breaks along the way in safe environments, and not on the side of the road.
It is also important not to panic if encountering a hazard on the road and to be aware of the psychological phenomenon “threat fixation”. This refers to the tendency of drivers to become overly focused on a potential risk, often to the extent that they neglect other aspects of driving. Panicking may lead to sudden and erratic movements, which can increase the risk of accidents or collisions.
Make a no-booze driving commitment
Many of the fatal crashes on the road each Easter are attributed to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Adv. Johan Jonck of Arrive Alive commented on this.
“We need to take drinking and driving more seriously as a nation.
“We need to be aware that even if we practice sober driving habits, we may be sharing the road with other irresponsible drivers who simply do not fully comprehend the threat that they represent to themselves and others.
“For this reason, motorists need to avoid all kinds of recklessness on the road, including speeding, overloading, and reckless overtaking.”
Safeguard your wheels
Incidents of hijacking or smash-and-grabs may be a bigger risk in sparsely populated areas or roads that are remote or secluded. Motorists could consider installing smash-and-grab safety film over their windows.
Another safeguard is to install a tracking device on the vehicle so that in the unfortunate event that the car is stolen, it can be tracked via GPS and recovered.
“In some cases, depending on the insurer, installing a tracking device can help customers negotiate a discount on their insurance premium, so there is a benefit in terms of personal safety but also in terms of affordability,” said Masiye.
