Pretoria: Traffic volumes along major corridors across the country are expected to increase as travellers return from various religious and holiday destinations. With the majority of road crashes attributed to human behaviour, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has urged drivers, passengers, and pedestrians to take responsibility for their conduct on shared roads.

According to South African Government News Agency, the government continues to implement the 365 Days Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign throughout the year, aimed at reducing road accidents and fatalities. ‘Our mandate is clear: to ensure that every South African who sets out on a journey returns home safely. We are calling on every driver, passenger, and pedestrian to take ownership of their conduct on our shared roads,’ Creecy said. She emphasised that law enforcement during this period will be uncompromising.

Should you find yourself in an emergency, essential contact numbers include Police: 10111, Ambulance: 10177, Emergency: 112, ER24: 084
124, and Netcare: 082 911. To report bad driving, use the National Traffic Call Centre Number: 0861 400 800.

Road users are therefore encouraged to follow these safety tips: ensure vehicles are roadworthy before departure, take safety breaks every two hours or 200km, always wear a seatbelt and ensure all passengers do the same, obey road rules and carry a driver’s licence, and pay attention to signals and brake lights of other vehicles, especially trucks.

Furthermore, carrying a fully charged cell phone is advised to request assistance in emergencies. Drivers are reminded to adjust their driving according to conditions and environment; for instance, during rain, headlights and windscreen wipers should be on, speed should be reduced, and sudden braking should be avoided due to potential oil and petrol on the road causing skidding. Vehicle and trailer inspections for tyres, lights, tow connections, brakes, batteries, and fluid levels are also recommended.