The holidays are officially over, and with people returning to work and kids returning to school, motorists face the usual heavy morning and afternoon traffic congestion on South Africa’s highways. For most people, sitting in traffic is the scourge of their life. Daily, citizens must endure the frustration of time-consuming and hair-pulling traffic. The Automobile Association (AA) notes that at this time of year, it’s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with some basic road rules that keep you and your family safe.
Here are some tips on how to deal with heavy traffic this January:
- Leave early - One way to avoid traffic is to leave early. This means sacrificing an hour or two to wake up early. This can be daunting, but this could be an excellent solution if you prefer to avoid traffic jams.
- Find another route – If waking up early is not for you, finding an alternative route could be the solution. Commuters will often “stick to the script” and follow a set route, resulting in far less congestion on roads less travelled. Sometimes it’s better to add a few extra kilometres to your route and venture onto back roads to avoid the frustration of traffic jams.
- Listen to the traffic report – Listen to traffic reports on the radio or social media that provide instant updates on congested areas and significant obstructions such as accidents and broken traffic lights; listen to it before you leave so that you know which areas to avoid.
- Buckle up – It is imperative for drivers and passengers to always wear a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt reduces the chance of death or serious injury in crashes. Little kids should be strapped in their approved car seats and should not be unbuckled for any reason while driving.
- Respect the rules of the road – Road rules are there to ensure safety for everyone; therefore, all drivers must follow the rules and not put themselves and others at risk.
- Pay attention - Distracted driving leads to less focus on the road and is extremely dangerous. Avoid eating, phone use, or tending to your children while driving.
Exercising extra care and caution might relieve some of the frustration of morning and afternoon traffic. Kelston Motor Group would like to wish you a Happy New Year with much love and blessings. We hope the above tips will make traveling to work or school easier this January. We wish you many happy and safe kilometres.
Article credit : WomenonWheels
