Make sure your car is ready to hit the road: Festive season safety checklist

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The festive season is infamous for being an incredibly dangerous period on South African roads. The road death toll during 2018/19 festive season was 1 612, which increased from the 2017/18 festive season of 1 527.

Part of safe driving is ensuring that the car you travel in is road-ready. Aspects that need to be screened before a journey include the state of windscreens and elements in contact with the road – like suspension, steering and brakes.

Festive season on the road

Filum Ho is the CEO of AutoBoys, shares some tips on how to remain safe on the roads, during a time when many South Africans are travelling. Autoboys are who are specialists in auto parts and glass and the first black-owned national glass and collision parts provider.

“Authorities and citizens will be hoping for a safer period this festive season and there’s no doubt that we’ll once again hear messages about dangers around drinking and driving, as well as speeding. These are very serious risks, but there are further key measures that drivers must take in order to ensure a safer trip,” says Ho.

Are you hitting the road this December? Remember to visit an Autoboys parts store to stock up on everything you need to get your car in tip top shape before the summer break. Find your closest store here: https://t.co/i4J3Kubeh1 pic.twitter.com/gQAWqdZgGn

— AutoboysZA (@AutoboysZA) November 29, 2019

Auto glass

A car’s windscreen is an important component in vehicle safety, as noted by the Arrive Alive campaign. Cracks from small stones may occur on the surface of your windscreen, which hinders your vision of the road ahead and can become a danger to you during front-end collisions or rollovers. 

The windshield forms part of the critical structure that holds your car together, as well as providing support to your airbag.

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Suspension

The suspension on a vehicle has to do with the shock absorbers. When these are worn, your tyres can start bouncing along the road while driving.

When a wheel bounces, there’s no positive contact to the road surface and as a result, your braking and stability are affected, especially in wet weather conditions and during emergency stops. This presents the risk of your vehicle going into an uncontrollable slide.

Control arms and lateral links

Any issues with your car’s control arms or lateral links will mean that you don’t have adequate control. This can be especially dangerous when it comes to harsh braking in wet conditions or where there is lots of sand or pebbles. It is therefore critical to ensure that these are in full working condition.

Braking system and tyres

It is imperative that your car is able to stay on the road surface with tyres that are in good condition. Your vehicle also needs to have a fully functioning braking system.

When it comes to tyres, check that your tread is the right depth – the law states this needs to be at least 1.6mm. Also, be sure to check for any radial cracks as these could cause blowouts while driving.

Ensure that you have a fully functioning braking system that includes sufficient brake pad thickness, and brake discs that are not adversely worn. Having worn brake discs can cause brake fade which is when the brakes overheat so much that they become ineffective.

Photo via Adobe Stock

If you need advice or assistance with the replacement parts for most of these elements above, Autoboys have outlets across South Africa and work with over 290 insurance partners. They are able to assist with a glass and windscreens, shock absorbers, steering racks, brake discs and brake pads.

By taking care of these key aspects on your vehicle, the risks of being on the road this festive season will be reduced, in an effort that should be carried out by all. 

Tags: carhitreadyroadsafety