On Friday this week we will be celebrating Christmas Day. This is a holiday of love and happiness sharing and it is equally a time that our roads are congested to the maximum. As all road users travel to different holiday destinations, it is very imperative that the rules of the road be obeyed. Long queues will form in at the toll gates as well as border gates and being considerate for other road users has proved to be helpful. Road users are urged to take cognizance of the following tips:
Following distance
Following a vehicle too closely is called 'tailgating'. Tailgating is an aggressive driving behaviour that is easily mistaken for road rage. Use the three-second rule to avoid tailgating. Most rear end collisions are caused by the vehicle in back following too closely. If someone is tailgating you, move to another lane or turn off the road as soon as possible and allow the tailgating vehicle to pass.
If the weather conditions are very poor, e.g. heavy rain, heavy fog, or heavy snow, start by tripling the three second rule to nine seconds to determine a safe following distance.
Loading your vehicle
Overloading your vehicle may jeopardize its ability to operate safely, check your vehicle's Owner's Manual to determine the load limits.
Maintain axle loads below specified vehicle and tyre capacities. Replacement tyre load capacity (lbs.) must always meet or exceed original tyre "Max Load." Overloading your vehicle places stress on your tyres and other critical vehicle components. Overloading can cause tyre failure. Overloading a vehicle can also cause poor handling and increase fuel consumption. Never fit tyres with less load capacity than shown on the vehicle tyre placard or Original Equipment tyre sidewalls.
Pedestrian-jaywalking
Jaywalking is an informal term used to refer to illegal or reckless pedestrian crossing of a roadway. Examples include pedestrian crossing between intersections (outside a marked pedestrian crossings) without yielding to drivers, as a result this could be fatal.
Pedestrians are always urged to:
a. Always cross within marked pedestrian crossings or at street corners
b. Yield to any approaching vehicles while crossing even if you have the right of way. Oncoming vehicles may reach you faster than you anticipate
c. Make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they see you
d. Obey all traffic signals and use the pedestrian signal button at intersections
e. Walk across the street, never run.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation would like to wish all road users a safe holiday.
We encourage all road users to report bad driving on 0861 400 800.
Media Contact:
Thandi Moya
Cell: 071 680 3445
Issued by: Road Traffic Management Corporation
23 December 2009
