Tyres And Trackers: Your Pre-Departure Guide

After another tough year of lockdowns and widespread restrictions, summer’s welcomed return has many looking beyond the confines of their four walls, in search of sunshine, sea breezes, and some much-needed downtime.

But as the country’s holiday meccas begin to fill up in line with relaxed restrictions, so too will its already perilous highways, with many trading air travel for road trips considering the health risks associated with the former. While this is good news for the travel industry, elevated traffic volumes are also likely to increase the risk of road accidents, which unfortunately tend to be part and parcel of this annual holiday pilgrimage.

As such, before hitting the road with your loved ones in tow, it’s important to give your car a thorough once over, carrying out the necessary mechanical checks to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident. Over and above a date with your mechanic, pay attention to your tyres and your tracking devices, which could not only prove fundamental in the event of an accident but which could also have a significant impact in the event of an insurance claim.

Here are a few of the things you should be looking out for before you set off on your well-deserved getaway:

Tyre checks

Your tyres are the only point of contact between you and the road, and as such, need to be treated with extreme care to avoid blow-outs, punctures, and reduced braking efficiency. Worn or damaged tyres can put you in serious danger, particularly in slippery conditions, and can also put any potential claims at risk even if you’re involved in an accident you didn’t cause. Here’s a simple checklist of things to look out for when checking your tyres:

Check for punctures, cuts and bulges, which could potentially increase your risk of a flat tyre at the most inopportune moment.
Areas of uneven wear and tear are a sure sign that your wheel alignment is out and needs to be checked.
Make sure that any missing valve caps are replaced, so as to prevent dirt from clogging valves, which could lead to a loss in air pressure.
Ensure the tread depth of your tyres is well above the minimum regulatory depth of 1.6mm to avoid the possibility of aquaplaning on wet roads and to ensure any potential insurance claim isn’t compromised.
Regularly check your tyre pressure so as to maintain the overall health of your tyres. If you’re unsure as to the correct pressure for your car, check the owner’s manual or look for pressure figures on the inside of the driver’s door or inside the fuel filler cap.
Remember to apply the same checks to your spare tyre, ensuring it conforms to basic safety standards so as to avoid any potential risks in the event of a blowout or flat tyre.

Track down the right tracking device

While many South Africans have tracking devices installed in their vehicles in light of increasing car thefts and hijackings, these often overlooked devices can also prove invaluable in the event of an accident. However, it’s important to remember that not all tracking devices are created equal – while some are designed to locate your vehicle in the event of theft, others come equipped with additional functionality, such as impact detection, which could potentially prove lifesaving should you be involved in a collision.

Here are a few things to bear in mind before selecting a tracking device:

Ensure that your tracking device is both in working order and that it corresponds to the requirements listed on your insurance contract. Should your policy require the installation of a certain type of tracking device, you could put any potential claims in jeopardy should you choose not to adhere to the stipulated parameters.
If you’re heading abroad this holiday season, check in with your insurer beforehand. While some tracking companies offer cover for up to two months beyond the South African border, others are only valid within local territory. As such, make sure you’re well informed if you’ve got long-distance travels in the pipeline.
Choose a tracking device with forewarning and SOS capabilities. Given the ever-advancing state of tracking technology, certain insurers are now able to offer potentially life-saving services linked to impact tracking and geo-location. Via these specific tracking devices, insurers are able to send warning messages directly to your phone should you be entering a dangerous area and are also able to dispatch emergency services in the event that your car registers an impact, and you aren’t able to respond to a subsequent emergency call.

Don’t make the mistake of applying one-size-fits-all thinking to your choice of tracking device. Make sure to consult your insurer before selecting or upgrading your device to ensure it’s got you covered for any type of eventuality.

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