Got your own wheels? Lucky you. Owning a car or motorcycle gives you the freedom to pop down to the shops for some milk & bread, go on a road trip from Jo’burg to Cape Town, or simply run your life without relying on other people for transport.
But nobody’s perfect, which means that road accidents can easily happen. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or something more serious, having your car or bike bashed and scraped can hurt your wallet. And more serious accidents could mean serious health problems - not to mention those nasty medical bills.
The first thing to do is make sure you have enough car or motorcycle insurance in place. Will your insurance cover you for everything that goes wrong in an accident? What about the costs of fixing someone else’s vehicle versus your own?
Once you’ve got the insurance thing sorted, try at all costs to avoid having an accident in the first place. You may fancy yourself as the next Jenson Button but playing it safe on the roads is worth it in terms of safeguarding both your life and your wallet.
Here’s how to keep the bumper bashing to amusement parks only:
Maintain your chariot properly
Keep your petrol tank full, your tyres inflated, and all your vehicle’s mechanics in working order. There’s nothing worse than running out of petrol on the side of the road and putting both yourself and other motorists in danger.
Steer clear of trouble
Don’t hang with the wrong crowds. That guy revving his engines and racing from one robot to the next? Avoid him like the plague. Where possible, also keep a wide berth around large trucks, vans and vehicles that may make it difficult to see.
Check your blind spots
Don’t only rely on peripheral vision, mirrors or your psychic abilities to know what’s going on around you. Check your blind spots before you stop, slow down or change lanes – especially when you’re on a busy highway or main road.
If you’re a slow coach, move over
Driving slowly and smelling the roses is fine, but gives way to faster traffic to avoid any mishaps. Also, be sure to keep left unless you’re overtaking.
Be confident
Drive with confidence, but don’t mistake the road for a Formula 1 racetrack. Stick to your lane, and overtake quickly to minimise the chances of another car hitting you, but don’t be aggressive or take chances while you do.
...But be defensive as well
Driving defensively is not just for grannies – it’s a good way to stop the unexpected from happening. Be wary of vehicles turning across your path, and know that some drivers (unlike you of course) won’t be checking their blind spots. Always make your intention clear to change lanes or turn off a road.
Take extra care as a motorcyclist
Motorcycles are fun to drive, but accidents in them are often much more serious than if you’re driving a car. For one thing, you’re going at the same speed as a car, but without the surrounding protection (leather jackets don’t count). Give yourself an extra safety boost by wearing goggles to improve your vision, and bright colours to improve your visibility.
