While fatalities on the road have decreased by 5.7% last year, staying alert when travelling is crucial. Here is how you can play your part in staying safe over the holiday season to make it an enjoyable one.

Get the essentials sorted

Things such as having your car serviced, making sure that your license disk is valid and checking that your tires are roadworthy can go a long way. It can also help you avoid fetching a fine for something as simple as driving with an expired license. Doing this will not only keep you safe, but give you peace of mind, no matter where you plan to travel.

Plan your route

This time of the year also means that there will be peak traffic as people try to get to their favourite spots. As many as 79% of South Africans will be travelling around the country. Therefore, planning your routes can help you find the most convenient time to make for your sweet escape. Plan your route in advance, but also make sure that your doors are locked at all times and that your windows are up when you leave the vehicle.

Keep your seatbelt on

It may seem pretty straightforward as it forms part of driving rules, but as many as 21 431 fines over the festive season in 2021 were due to people failing to wear seatbelts while driving. A few seconds of making sure that you and your loved ones are safely strapped in can save lives.

Keep valuables out of sight

Crime is also rampant during this time which means that you need to be alert. Making sure that any valuables you have are kept out of sight and secured in the boot can reduce your chances of a smash and grab. Whenever possible, leave valuable items locked away safely at your place.

Get strange noises checked out

Make sure that you get any strange sounds coming from your vehicle checked, even if your car has already gone for service. The sooner you are able to pin point the issue the less likely it will be for something that could have been affordable to fix becoming expensive.