Suzuki reveals five S.M.A.R.T driving tips for a safer holiday road trip

Ensure a safer holiday drive with Suzuki's S.M.A.R.T tips focusing on hazard awareness, minimising distractions, and defensive driving for a stress-free journey this festive season.

Festive season fever is gripping the country as millions of South Africans are gearing up to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation after another frantic year in the fast lane. While many will recharge in the sanctity of their homes, others will embark en masse to visit family, friends and holiday destinations dotted all around our beautiful country.

A side effect of this intra-border migration is a road network stretched to capacity with weary travellers eager to get to their journey’s end as soon as possible. Navigating this increased congestion brings heightened risk, with motorists having to deal not only with above-average traffic volumes but also frayed tempers and waning attention spans.

To help vacationing road users get to their destinations safely, Suzuki Auto South Africa has leveraged its ongoing partnership with FleetMax Africa to release five S.M.A.R.T driving tips forming part of the dynamic DriveSmart with Suzuki road-safety curriculum.

“South Africans are particularly fond of a good road trip, especially as the year draws to a close,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.

“However a quick look at historical road safety data shows a worryingly high percentage of these journeys don’t go according to plan, with many falling foul to road rage incidents, accidents or worse. Suzuki thinks this is not only unnecessary but also avoidable. As such we collaborated with FleetMax Africa to table these pointers designed to help keep motorists out of harm's way as they travel the highways and byways this festive season.”

• Scan the road ahead for moving and stationary hazards. Remember to check your rearview and side mirrors every five to eight seconds, and before braking to see if any vehicles are behind you. This will help you approximate their distance and closing speed.
  
  
• Manage any visible road hazards carefully and swiftly by changing direction or adjusting your speed. You can also hoot or flash your headlights. Remember, the sooner you identify the hazard and anticipate the reaction, the more time and space you have to avoid a collision. Confidence is key.
  
  
• Avoid distractions. These can be auditory (loud music or conversations), physical (fumbling with switchgear and phones) or mental (thinking about things other than the road in front of you). Distractions are lethal because the faster you travel, the less reaction time you have and the greater the chance of hitting a hazard.
  
  
• Remember the five Cs of defensive driving:
  1. Concentration: focus on the task at hand and aim to limit distraction.
  2. Competency: know your vehicle and aim to operate it safely, efficiently and with mechanical sympathy.
  3. Compliance: always obey the rules of the road. As the driver you are in charge of your vehicle so the onus is on you to ensure the safety of your passengers. It’s also your responsibility to not drink and drive, rest when tired and avoid reckless and/or negligent actions.
  4. Consideration: remain patient in order to avoid unneeded stress and road rage.
  5. Communication: indicate your intentions timeously using turn and – if necessary – hand signals.
     
     
• Think about the safety of all road users at all times. Think about saving money and saving the planet by driving thoughtfully and carefully. Think about your destination and the loved ones waiting for your arrival – get there with no regrets.
  
  

“December and early January always see a considerable spike in traffic along the country’s major arterial roads,” says Ashref Ismail, CEO of FleetMax Africa.

“People tend to become impatient, trying to get to their destinations as quickly as they can. This is a recipe for disaster as many innocent lives are placed at risk. Be prepared for delays and enjoy the journey – South Africa is full of scenic drives that should not be rushed.”

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