Drive with extra caution to avoid colliding with small antelope on rural roads

Last weekend did not start well for a friend of the Arrive Alive website when he collided with a Klipspringer, a small species of African antelope.

The collision occurred on Friday afternoon shortly before sunset about 8 kilometres outside Ottosdal on the Wolmaransstad road.

Unfortunately neither the Klipspringer nor the radiator of the car survived the impact of the collision.

What can we do to reduce these types of crashes and also assist towards making our roads safer?

On the Arrive Alive website we have made available information on the following topic: Avoiding animals on the Road

There are a few suggestions that could assist in protecting motorists:

• Take special care near animal crossing warning signs or signs warning of the absence of fences. The signs are there for a reason.


• Minimize your distractions from passengers, food, and accessories like cell phones. If your full attention is on the road, you’;ll be more likely to spot approaching animals with your peripheral vision.


• Get in the habit of scanning the roadside as you drive.


• Vigilance is the first and best defense, especially when driving on unfamiliar rural roads. Ask passengers to help by scanning both sides of the roadway.


• If you see one animal, expect that there are others nearby.


• Use your high beams whenever possible. They will give you more time to spot and react to animals in the road.


• Always obey the speed limit and wear safety belts


• To protect themselves, defensive drivers adapt their speed to conditions and keep alert for wildlife.


• Slowing down a little gives you and the animal more time to react – Be especially cautious at night


• Be aware of your surroundings.


• Be especially watchful in areas near woods and water


• If you see a large animal near the road and think you have time to avoid hitting it, reduce your speed, tap your brakes to warn other drivers and sound your horn.


• If the animal is in your path, brake firmly but do not swerve to avoid it. Sound your horn in a series of short bursts to frighten it away. Provided you can slow down with control, steer around the animal but stay on the road if possible. Watch out for oncoming traffic.


• If a collision seems inevitable, don’;t swerve to avoid the animal; your risk of injury may be greater if you do. Maintain control of the vehicle. Report the accident to the police and your insurance company.


• Always consider if the land along the road could host large animals, and if you think it could, anticipate that they might run out into the road. It’;s much easier to anticipate animal encounters and be ready to react calmly than to deal with the costly expenses, injuries, and guilty conscience of a collision.

We can also assist the World Wildlife Fund and the Project to reduce Roadkill.

View: Endangered Wildlife Trust starts new roadkill project in Pilanesberg National Park

Drive with extra caution to avoid colliding with small antelope on rural roads

Special caution required when planning the caravan holiday tips

Caravan holiday tips

Venturing out onto the open road in your home on wheels is one of life’s great but simple pleasures. If this is your first time on this new adventure, read these tips before heading out on your caravanning experience so you can be sure of a safe and enjoyable journey.

Planning your trip

With lots to think about prior to leaving for your caravanning holiday, the first and most important tip is to invest in planning ahead, particularly if you’re visiting a distant destination.

Research the area you’re visiting and identify the best caravan sites in which to spend your holiday. Make sure the road to your destination is suitable for your towing vehicle and caravan type; some sites may only be accessible to 4x4s. Knowing the area means being equipped to prepare for any specific conditions you are likely to encounter – for example, the weather, and the available facilities and amenities at the caravan site. Use the internet to assess locations on the basis of feedback from others who have visited your prospective sites – some places are better than others.

Joining a caravan club can be enormously helpful, particularly with tips on great places to go and what to take with. Social media provides the ability to very quickly connect with like-minded people and online forums can provide instant insight and feedback to help deal with any issues, concerns or questions.

Draw up a menu for all the meals you’ll be eating while you’re away. Then you’ll know which ingredients you’ll need to purchase (and which can be sourced on-site) as well as where best to store them – for example, in a cooler box or freezer.

Write a checklist during your planning phase so that you don’;t leave anything behind. Must-have items include a fire extinguisher and a fully-stocked first aid kit.

Entertainment

Every caravan will need some form of entertainment in order to keep the kids busy – especially if it rains.  Consider packing some board games or other forms of entertainment, such as a small portable TV. A good bet is to bring a games console or DVD player with you. A docking station for music ensures that you can enjoy your favourite tunes – but be aware of others around you.  

Towing tips

• Make sure your caravan windows are closed, doors locked and gas and electricity turned off before you drive off.


• Take utmost care in attaching the caravan to the tow ball, including fastening the safety chain connecting the electrical socket and, on braked caravans, disconnecting the handbrake.


• Check that the taillights and indicators are working on the caravan.


• Don’t exceed the maximum towing capacity of the towing vehicle.


• Equipment such as water, food, camping gear, etc. will generally add another 300kg to the weight of the empty caravan. Typically, you do not want to overload the caravan; where possible, equipment should be transported in your car. If some gear is in the caravan, make sure it is loaded in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.


• Make sure your towing vehicle can handle the weight of caravan, equipment and supplies.

Caravan insurance

Despite the best precautions, accidents can happen, so another essential task before setting out on holiday is getting the insurance up to date. Make sure you have the appropriate cover for your car and caravan so you can enjoy the open road secure in the knowledge that your home-away-from-home is protected from the unexpected.

Caravan insurance covers:

• Theft and hijack


• Fire and explosion


• Accidental damage


• Storm, hail, flood or snow


• Liabilities caused to other parties

Importantly, make sure your caravan policy covers contents and accessories as well as the caravan itself. After all, no caravanning holiday is complete without camping tables, chairs, tents cutlery and crockery, and a range of electronic devices and personal property. If it’s in the caravan, it should be covered by the insurance policy for complete peace of mind; note only caravan items (including permanent fixtures and accessories such as air-conditioning units, fitted canopies and awnings) will be covered under the caravan policy. Other items will be covered by MiMovables or All Risk cover.

Also, check that your chosen insurance policy offers roadside assistance and emergency services; after all, caravanning explicitly requires being out on the road.

[By: Rory Judd, MiWay Head of Online Marketing]

MiWay is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (Licence no: 33970)

MiWay Insurance Limited (‘MiWay’) is a direct, short-term insurance company, offering customers a range of short-term insurance products including motor, household and homeowners insurance as well as add-on products such as warranty cover and liability cover. MiWay’;s shareholder is Santam, a blue-chip JSE-listed company.

Also view: Towing a Trailer Safely

Special caution required when planning the caravan holiday tips

Caution! Baby on Board and Behind the Wheel!

Most little ones can’t wait to be old sufficient to drive a car, even so a couple of weeks ago in Henley a 3 year old youngster decided that waiting till he was 6teen was just not on. He then proceeded to take the keys to his parents’ Subaru Impreza, unlock the car, get behind the wheel and drive the vehicle into the garden of the nearby 16th Century Duke of Cumberland Arms pub.

On his journey the unnamed kid drove down his driveway and over 2 embankments before ending up in the pub garden, even so he was stopped ahead of entering the bar and ordering a pint. Fortunately, neither the youngster nor any person else was hurt in the course of the incident, even though the nipper did acquire a modest bump to the head (that’s what you get for driving without having a seatbelt!)

However, the owners of the pub were away which implies that no-a single was offered to comment on the occasion, nevertheless a Sussex Police spokesperson mentioned: “The boy unlocked the Subaru Impreza car, which is an automatic, started it and drove it down the driveway, down 2 embankments and ended up in the garden of the Duke of Cumberland Arms pub.

“He suffered a slight bump to the head following hitting it on the steering wheel. An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital to be checked out. No a single else was hurt, even though the vehicle was damaged.” The parents of the child also failed to comment, however we are certain that they are planning on banning him from driving till he is of legal age, as nicely as maintaining the keys to their cars hidden away from now on.

It’s not just here in the UK that toddlers are taking to the roads however, as there have also been reports of a 3 year old in Myrtle Creek, Oregon who crashed his parents’ Jeep into a neighbouring property – and then ran away. The child, who was dressed only in a diaper, managed to get into the unlocked car and then knock it out of gear, major it to rolling down the street, through an intersection and into a residence.

The kid, naturally shaken by his ordeal, ran away from the scene of the crime back property where he preceded to watch cartoons till the police arrived asking inquiries. The child told the police that his parents weren’t property and that an additional relative who was supposed to be watching him had fallen asleep. We know that maintaining an eye on youngsters is usually challenging but we in no way knew that they could get up to this a lot mischief!

Tips for Keeping your Kid off the Road

1. Shop keys in places they cannot attain. Such as any location that is larger than 2ft.
2. Acquire them a fake car from a toy shop. At 3 years old they shouldn’t be as well discerning.
3. If your child is adamant that they want to drive get a boring vehicle – anything that even they wouldn’t want to be noticed in!

Photo by Pixabay

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Caution! Baby on Board and Behind the Wheel!