Whatshot

2026
2025
November
2024
June
April
2023
March
2022
2021
2020
March
February
2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2014
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2013
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2012
December
November
October
September
August
July

Make Sure Your Car Is Road Worthy

Make Sure Your Car Is Road Worthy

Author: Kasia Yoko
Date: 2015-01-30

One of my new year's resolution is to be a lot more road safety conscious in 2015 so naturally my recent visit to my local mechanic, Emiel Lategan from Emerett Auto, inspired some questions regarding my vehicle's road worthiness and what I should know as a conscientious driver.

Every death on our roads is a major tragedy causing enormous emotional pain and grief to family and friends. Even more distressing is the fact that many of those killed are young people. The major contributions to serious road trauma are speeding, alcohol, driving when tired and the non-use of seatbelts.

Emiel has an immense knowledge of vehicle, with almost forty years experience in the motor industry working at Toyota, Emiel opened his own workshop two years ago. He is now set up at Imbonini Industrial park in Shakas Head.

"Everyone should understand the workings of ones car," Emiel told me. "Each time you get behind the wheel you should check your tyre pressure, your brake lights and ensure that there is water in your radiator." He advised. He says that while you should make sure that regular maintenance is done, you should not skimp on tyres and spares for your vehicle and to choose SABS approved and accredited products.

"Its not just your motorcar that needs regular check ups." Emiel tells me. "You need to be regularly checked as well. Its about having regular eye tests, obeying the speed limits, maintaining safe following distances and most importantly being aware of what is going on around you." Emiel endorses the safe drive campaigns and plans workshops for women and first time drivers on road safety.

There are many important points to consider ensuring that you have a safe ride.

  • Always wear your safety belt. No exception! And ensure that your passengers do the same.
  • Make sure that your car is equipped with a variety of lights and reflectors to mark your presence, position, width, length, and direction of travel known, as well as to convey the driver's intent and actions to other drivers. These include the vehicle's headlamps, front and rear position lamps, side marker lights and reflectors, turn signals, stop (brake) lamps, and reversing lamps.
  • If you get a flat tyre in the middle of the night, it is advisable not to stop but to continue driving at slow speed to the nearest petrol station.
  • Also it is advisable for all drivers to invest in Road Assist Service such as AA or McCarthy Auto Assist.

All these factors are within the control of the driver, which means that almost all road deaths and serious injuries can be prevented. If you want to find out more about road safety and your car's roadworthiness make an appointment to visit Emiel Lategan and make road awareness and safety your priority in 2015. Emiel can be contacted on 083 273 9486.