WesBank and AA Namibia provide tips for holiday road safety

Wesbank teamed up with AA Namibia to provide road users and customers with the necessary steps to prepare for long drives this festive season.

“This Festive season we are focusing on both passengers and drivers. We all know that passengers cover the same distances, passengers' safety is almost entirely in the hands of the driver. Typically, the driver has been the main focus of road safety campaigns and programs” says Hileni N. Tjivikua, AA Namibia General Manager.

“The passenger's influence on the driver's behaviour has been practically overlooked in the growth of such campaigns. Little is currently known about the patterns of communication that exist between drivers and passengers, and the effect this interplay has on driver behaviour to influence safety. If the behavioural interactions that take place between drivers and passengers were better understood, it would be possible to develop countermeasure strategies for enhancing the positive role of passengers and minimising the negative role of passengers on driver behaviour. These countermeasures would be expected to have considerable safety benefits for drivers and passengers alike.”

Here are few safety tips to take into consideration this Festive season:

Passengers:

Make sure you are belted at all times Give full concentration when in the vehicle and pay attention. If you got on the bus at a bus terminal make sure your name is recorded, this helps to trace your name easily if anything happened on the road with you. Talk to the Taxi/ Bus associations assistant. If you are hitchhiking make sure family members know that you are travelling and in which vehicle you are taking a lift. You have the right to tell the driver he is speeding and that you’re not comfortable in his/her vehicle. You have the right to check for tyre safety and correct the driver for both your safety.

Driver:

· Avoid driving at night.

· Respect others and their lives by keeping within the speed limit.

· Rest after every two hours.

· Do not drive when angry and or when in a hurry.

· Learn to understand the language of driving (Communication). Meaning when others are indicating that your lights are blinding them, dim your lights, do not ignore them. When other drivers are indicating to overtake do not accelerate, rather reduce speed to allow them to pass.

· Remember you are not in competition when on the road.

· Do not overload. Overloading has a serious effect on the dynamics of the vehicle.

· Share the road positively at all times.

· Plan well.

“As we take to the road this festive season it’s important to note that it’s also the most dangerous period of the year, with more people involved in fatal crashes than at any other time. This results in serious social and economic costs for the country,” said Elmarie Cilliers, Executive Officer of Wesbank.

“These consequences include the loss of family members who are bread winners, sadly leaving behind many traumatized families. The economic ramifications include the increase in the social development and health budgets spend. As a responsible corporate, Wesbank is committed to working towards the safety of our roads, together with partners such as the Automobile Association of Namibia. Safe travelling makes for happy holidays,” she said in conclusion. - Wesbank