With the country’s vehicle fleet ageing and modern vehicles becoming increasingly complex, motorists are being encouraged to ensure their vehicles remain properly maintained and roadworthy. The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) organisation says regular servicing, professional inspections and skilled repairs will remain important in protecting motorists and passengers.

The organisation also called for closer cooperation between motorists, government and the automotive industry to identify vehicle-related risks before they become a danger on the country’s roads. 

Road crashes

The RMI estimates road crashes cost South Africa around R205bn a year, with the country recording close to 12,000 road deaths annually.

Free State and Northern Cape RMI regional manager Reemo Swartz said the condition of a vehicle is an important part of road safety. “Road safety is not only about your driver behaviour or the roads themselves, but the condition of the vehicle as well.”

“A well-maintained older vehicle is perfectly capable of being on the roads. Taking your vehicle regularly to a professional to actually have a look at it, go through the vehicle, and do the regular checks can help identify problems before they become serious.

“The first step is to start with yourself and make sure that your vehicle is in a good roadworthy condition. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and the condition of the vehicle obviously plays a huge part in that.

“Every vehicle carries more than just a driver. There are families, employees, and communities that obviously use these vehicles. It’s not just the driver taking responsibility for keeping the roads safe. There are many factors as well, maybe economic factors or the roads themselves that could play a part.”

Most of South Africa’s vehicles are ageing, with the average vehicle estimated to be approximately 10.8 years old. The organisation believes that regular assessment of vehicles would provide an important layer of protection for motorists, passengers and other road users, while helping to address the economic and social consequences of road crashes.

“Vehicles are obviously aging, and components wear with time, so technology defects are something that should be addressed before something serious happens,” said Swartz. “Regular servicing, proper inspections and repairs carried out by appropriately skilled professionals would assist to a greater extent.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.