With the upcoming school and Easter holidays around the corner, many South Africans will be taking to the roads to enjoy time off. The South Africa Insurance Association (SAIA) wishes everyone a safe journey and a pleasant school holiday season. Previous years’ statistics point to the risks and dangers associated with travelling by road at this time of year. However, with a few precautions and proper planning, accidents and surprises can be avoided, or minimised.

Between 2018 and 2022, there was a slight decrease in cumulative annual road fatalities. Still, roughly 35 people die every day on our roads – the bulk of whom are aged between 25 and 44. The Road Traffic Management Corporation's (RTMC) report (January 2022 to December 2022) stated that 12,436 people died on South African roads in 2022.

We urge drivers to prioritise road safety and ensure adequate vehicle insurance coverage. This is imperative for several reasons:

• South African roads are especially busy at this time:
  Remember, you are among more than 13 million registered vehicles and 15 million licensed drivers, so the roads really are where you need to be most vigilant.

• The weather can be unpredictable:
  Heavy rainfall and storms increase hazardous driving conditions — as witnessed during the 2023-2024 festive season. Inevitably, many drivers failed to adjust their speed accordingly, which led to preventable accidents.

• Most crashes occur during specific periods:

The Department of Transport statistics are a wake-up call to the risks associated with holiday travel. While it is easy to skim over "statistics”, they do highlight our individual responsibility regarding our driving behaviour and the necessity for comprehensive insurance protection.

• Most car accidents are caused by ‘human factors’:

Recent reports indicate that more than 80% of road accidents were caused by "human factors", over 10% resulted from weather or environmental factors, and vehicle factors contributed almost 9%. The lower percentages in climate-related weather conditions and poor vehicle maintenance should not be misinterpreted as a sign to downgrade their importance. They must remain priorities on your preparedness list.

Lebohang Tsotetsi, Insurance Risks Manager at the South African Insurance Association, said,

“Clearly, there is a continual need for driver education and road safety promotion. But let's start with each driver pledging to be more aware, alert, and considerate while driving. Together, we can significantly impact road safety and prevent accidents that could have been avoided."

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Adopting a fundamental attitude shift towards road safety and responsible driving behaviours can prevent needless loss of life and save billions in insurance costs. These costs go beyond just looking at the statistics.

Insurers, emergency services, and healthcare providers deal with the daily loss of life and devastation caused by road accidents. Every motor vehicle insurer is aware that behind every accident claim is often a heartbreaking story.

"As we embark on journeys to celebrate Easter, let us embrace a culture of safety, accountability, and preparedness. By doing so, we can ensure that the holiday season is filled with joy, not tragedy, and that every journey leads safely to its destination," said Tsotetsi.

It is important to apply common sense and recognise that taking breaks every two hours during our journey is crucial. We should also stick to the speed limit to avoid accidents, as speeding is a significant factor.

Here are a few practical steps to prepare for your Easter travels:

• Ensure that the vehicle you are travelling in is roadworthy. Maintain wear and tear items and promptly repair or replace damaged parts.
• Review your insurance policy to ensure it provides comprehensive coverage for your needs.
• Check that you are adequately protected against potential risks and that your policy includes provisions for unforeseen circumstances.
• Ensure that you have a valid driving license and that your vehicle is licensed.
• Ensure that you, or your designated driver, do not drink or drive.
• Make sure all adults and children are strapped in behind a seat belt during your journey. Ensure that every infant and toddler is placed securely in the appropriate car seat.
• Ensure that you maintain the speed limit. Unfortunately, the number of speeding fines issued in 2023 more than doubled from the previous year, going from roughly 34,500 to almost 79,000.
• Install a telematics driving app on your phone. Insurers now offer telematics, a driving app installed on your phone to monitor your driving style. It tracks your speed, driving habits, time of day, and distance travelled, helping you identify areas for improvement. Telematics has had a significant impact on promoting safe and sound driver behaviour. Telematics improves driving habits, reduces risk, and may lead to premium discounts and rewards. It also helps contribute to the national road safety vision.