Easter holidays are generally a busy time on the roads, with higher traffic as many people take to the road for a refreshing, relaxing getaway over the long weekend all around the country. Make sure that you, your family, friends, and others get to your destinations safely and efficiently by following these road safety tips.

1. Check engine fluids

Water and oil checks are offered by petrol station attendants but skipped in the rush of everyday life. Next time you visit the petrol station, be sure to accept the oil check. This ensures a smoother ride and minimizes the risk of breakdown, but low levels may indicate a leak, which is a much more serious problem requiring immediate attention.

We often overlook this on our city drives, but there’s no room for laziness on cross-country journeys. Check your vehicle’s fluid levels when you fill up – engine oil, coolant/antifreeze, and screen wash. They’re key to safe driving.

Make sure to check your vehicle’s brake fluid too. If this level is too low, your car is not safe to drive.

2. Check your route

Before your trip, become familiar with the route you are traveling. Navigation apps and tools have been developed to make this process easier, but they are not always reliable. It is also best to ensure that you are traveling through the safest possible area. Take note that apps like ‘Google Maps’ and ‘Waze’ often prioritize shorter routes, no matter the state of roads or the safety of the surrounding areas.

3. Drive without distractions

It’s not easy to keep the kids occupied for long-distance travels, and they can be a distraction for drivers, especially if they’re bored. To keep your kids occupied, try giving them a book to read, write or draw on, games to play, or a device – and make sure they are wearing seatbelts. Keep your hands-free device connected, so you can answer calls without touching your cellphone while driving. Let family members and close friends know before your trip that you will be driving and cannot text them.

4. Slow and steady wins the race

Speeding is unsafe, irresponsible, and a sure way to risk your own life and the lives of those around you. Drive fresh, focused, and sober If you’re that way inclined, save the drinks for your destination. Driving impaired – whether by liquor or drugs or through recklessness endangers passengers and other road users.

• Buckling up. Seat belts save lives, and it is a law to wear them. Take the responsibility to make sure children are always properly buckled in the back seat in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt, whichever is appropriate for their weight, height, and age. Having passengers or drivers that are unbuckled may lead to serious injuries.

5. Always Keep a First-Aid Kit in the car

A well-stocked first-aid kit can save lives in any health emergency or injury!

Things to pack in your first-aid kit:

• Different-sized gauze pads
• A box of adhesive bandages
• One gauze roller bandage
• Two triangular bandages
• Wound-cleaning agent
• A pair of scissors
• At least one blanket
• A pair of tweezers
• Adhesive tape
• Latex gloves
• Resuscitation equipment such as a resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask;
• Two elastic wraps and a splint.

Here is a checklist of items every car should always have in case of emergency:

• Car phone charger,
• First-aid kit,
• Fire extinguisher,
• Hazard triangle,
• Spare tyre,
• Tyre jack and lug wrench,
• Tow rope,
• Jumper cables and
• A flashlight.

6. Make sure you’ve saved important emergency numbers.

There are many services and people who can help, should you be in an emergency. Make sure that you have saved all the relevant numbers for the following service providers below:

• Ambulance service,
• Police,
• Towing service,
• Insurance,
• Medical Aid,
• Road Side Assistance and

All emergency contacts should be saved onto your phone with the acronym ICE (In Case of Emergency) preceding their name.

7. Take a break before your eyelids droop

Take a break every two hours or 200km when traveling on a long-distance trip. Don’t wait until you feel tired to take a break. Schedule regular rest stops to have some rest and stretch your legs and avoid fatigue. You will get tired no matter how many energy drinks you drink, so take breaks at service stations to fill up your petrol tank and have a snack to get some energy for the journey.