Long weekend road trip? Read this before you go

With the long weekend approaching, thousands of South Africans are expected to travel to visit family, head away for a break or attend events, putting increased pressure on the country’s roads. According to Supa Quick, more vehicles on the road, driver fatigue, speeding and unfamiliar routes can all increase the risk of crashes during busy travel periods. Motorists are urged to plan ahead, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and avoid taking unnecessary risks behind the wheel.

Motorists should plan their routes before setting off and, where possible, avoid peak travel periods. Checking traffic updates before and during a journey can help motorists identify congestion, roadworks, crashes and other delays. Leaving earlier can also help reduce the temptation to speed or drive aggressively in an effort to reach a destination on time.

Fatigue remains a major danger, particularly for motorists travelling long distances. Drivers should take regular breaks, ideally stopping for about 15 to 20 minutes every two hours. Motorists should also watch for signs of fatigue, including frequent yawning, difficulty concentrating, drifting from their lane or missing road signs.

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If you feel tired, do not try to push through it. Find a safe place to stop and rest before continuing your journey. A vehicle check should be carried out before setting off on a long journey.

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