1. Before you leave on your journey
Before beginning a long drive always ensure you get enough sleep the night before. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the car before leaving the house, make sure the tyres are properly inflated and all fluids are at their proper levels. Don’t forget you can get your tyres and batteries checked at any Tiger Wheel & Tyre.
2. Assemble a road safety kit
Whether your journey is a long or short one, it pays to be prepared for any emergency. Make sure you have the following items in your car in case you run into some difficulty: a first aid kit, a flashlight, basic tools and your locknut key, if you have one, a reflective triangle, your car manual, jumper cables, a charged cell phone and cell phone charger. Also remember to pack a detailed map of your route, as technology is not always reliable!
3. Always be prepared to change a tyre
Every driver of a vehicle should know how to change a tyre. Unfortunately this is not always the case in South Africa and stopping to help someone in trouble has become a safety issue and not many people are willing to do it. Therefore it is highly recommended that you sign up for roadside assistance before long journeys. Rather sit and wait for help then get out of your vehicle and risk your safety, especially at night.
4. Practice defensive driving
We all know that prevention is better than a cure, so it is wise to practice defensive driving. This basically means to avoid drinking and driving, avoid driving when tired or drowsy, follow the three-car rule whereby you should keep a distance of three cars between you and the car in front of you, drive more carefully in bad weather and avoid getting into confrontations with other drivers on the road. Also remember to pull over and take breaks every couple of hours, it may not feel necessary but it is imperative to break your concentration every so often. Also if you can, share the driving responsibilities with someone else.
5. Have a list of all necessary contacts
Other than the South African emergency number 112 which can be dialed from any cell phone, you should also know the numbers for your insurance company and roadside assistance. Make sure you have your membership numbers available and it is a good idea to keep a written list of all this information in case your cell phone battery dies.
And a last tip that should go without saying, make sure everyone in the car buckles up! Find your nearest Tiger Wheel & Tyre at www.twt.to to get your wheels, tyres and batteries checked before you head off on your journey and before you head back home.
