Holiday time means that holidaymakers should take extra care on the roads, says Michael Druce, general manager of MasterDrive.
MasterDrive, a member of the Avis group, pioneered the concept of defensive driver training and caters for the full driving instruction spectrum with courses that include advanced driver training, skidpan and anti-hijacking training.
MasterDrive also provides pre-appointment driver assessments for company fleets.
It is also the first driver training company in Africa to be awarded the coveted ISO 9002 service rating.
Druce notes that at the best of times, far too few drivers maintain a safe following distance. The hazardous effects of this bad habit are exacerbated by factors such as heavily laden vehicles, pressure to make good timing, and distractions caused by bored and frustrated children in the back seat.
"In South Africa, as in the rest of the world, the single biggest cause of collisions is the lack of an adequate following distance.
"The minimum safe following distance is three seconds. Check your following distance by using the time-lapse method.
"As the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object such as a telephone pole, count off the seconds it takes you to reach the same object. If you get there before you've counted to at least three, you're too close," says Druce.
"Another thing," says Druce, "if you are driving with children, avoid giving them sugary snacks, fizzy drinks or any foodstuffs with tartrazine. These will only make them hyperactive.
"Keep them occupied with children's tapes or by playing games. Wherever possible, pull the car over and allow them to stretch their legs for five minutes.
You will find the delay in your estimated time of arrival far more rewarding than the high blood pressure and hot flashes you'll experience otherwise."
For further information on safe driving or on how to improve your driving skills, call Michael Druce on 011-923-3962.