BUSINESS NEWS - The Easter holiday is upon us which means that some South Africans will again be travelling to different destinations to spend time with family.

Before you pack your vehicle and set off for your Easter holiday destination there are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe on the road:

• Make sure that you have a valid driver’s licence, and that your vehicle license disc hasn’t expired.
• Check that you have adequate comprehensive motor-vehicle and third-party liability insurance cover in place and always check the terms and conditions.
• Do regular vehicle roadworthiness inspections at a car dealership or a tyre fitment centre – batteries, indicators, brake lights, brake pads, tyres, shocks, cracks or chips on windows and windscreen wipers.
• Don’t overload your vehicle.
• Plan your route and stops beforehand, taking care to factor in roadworks, tollgates, and potential roadblocks along the way.
• Obey the rules of the road, don’t speed, and keep a safe following distance.
• Drive defensively, without distractions such as mobile phones.

Unfortunately, this period also sees a significant increase in deaths and serious injuries due to accidents on South African roads. Many of these accidents are as a result of poor driving practices, unroadworthy vehicles and more worrying, drunk driving.

Drunk driving and driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in South Africa and comes with serious consequences. If found guilty, you could face jail time or a fine, a criminal record, a suspended license, and at worst, be responsible for someone’s death or injury.

If you are tested and found to be driving under the influence, insurers are under no legal obligation to pay your claim. All policies stipulate that road users should abide by the law and if found guilty we have the right to reject the claim. The further consequences are that you run the risk of your policy being cancelled.

We would always suggest that our clients rather take an alternative form of transport or if it is included in their policy, book a ride home with Momentum’s HomeDrive, when you’re not in a position to drive.

According to the South African Insurance Association (SAIA), approximately 70-80 per cent of South African motorists are not insured. This unfortunately has serious implications for all road users. The Road Traffic Management Corporation estimates that over 800 000 accidents take place in South Africa annually with approximately 520 000 involving vehicles that are not insured.

It is vital to have comprehensive vehicle insurance as it provides you with financial protection and peace of mind when your car is stolen, hijacked, or damaged in an accident. It also covers you for third party liability – where you may become liable for damaging someone else’s vehicle or injuring someone through an accident involving your vehicle.

It also pays to be prepared for any emergency, be that at home, on the road, at your holiday destination or any location that you think your personal safety is at risk. If your insurer offers an emergency alert function on your mobile device, such as Safety Alert, you will have access to emergency personnel at a click of a button. 

Safety Alert is available to active Momentum car and home insurance policyholders plus one other nominated user of the policyholder’s choosing, free of charge.

Remember that creating safer roads depends on each one of us to do our part.

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