Pledge to be safer and friendlier this festive season

BRAND ACTIVITY

Dec 12th 2011, 08:40

A festive season safety message brought to you by IMPERIAL’s I-Pledge and Arrive Alive.

As the holiday season begins, many families are looking forward to embarking on road trips to various destinations. In line with its I-Pledge road safety campaign and in partnership with Arrive Alive, IMPERIAL is committed to raising awareness about road safety, particularly during the festive season.

The I-Pledge campaign asks us to make a personal attitude and behavioural shift when we use the roads – whether we’re pedestrians, bus and truck drivers, motorists, cyclists or bikers. “We are all human on the roads and we all make mistakes so before we raise our fists in aggravation, we should take a look at our own bad habits,” says Tak Hiemstra, executive director of IMPERIAL.

“While IMPERIAL certainly acknowledges that you cannot control the behaviour of other road users, you can certainly make a difference by choosing not to react dangerously when someone cuts you off,” adds Tak.

‘Tis the season to fight fatigue folly

One of the main causes of road accidents is fatigue. There are various reasons for fatigue-related road accidents, including sleep deprivation, sleeping disorders, time of day at which you are driving and travelling long distances without a break. It is important for drivers and their travel companions to be able to identify signs of fatigue, which may include sore eyes, nodding off, constant yawning, drifting over lanes, slow reactions and trouble keeping the head upright.

You can counter driver fatigue temporarily with comfort breaks every two hours, drinking water or an energy drink, listening to music and ensuring good ventilation, to name a few. But the only way to really fight fatigue is by getting sufficient, uninterrupted sleep. The recommended number of hours is 7 – 8 hours before a long trip. Avoid taking any medicine before a long trip as it may cause drowsiness.

Keep your eye on the prize

A ‘quick’ SMS or phone call, a bite of your delicious toasted sandwich or a change of radio stations takes your mind and eyes off the road. For every second we take our eyes and minds off the road, we lose one second in our average reaction and stopping time. Avoid being distracted. Focus on the task at hand: driving safely.

Give a gift that keeps on giving

Support safer, friendlier roads this holiday by taking the I-Pledge at www.ipledge.co.za. There are various pledges one can take: including pledging to keep within the speed limit, not to drink and drive, to only use the zebra crossing and not to use your phone while driving. Spread the I-Pledge message to families, friends and colleagues – you may be just be giving them the gift of life.

Follow @IPledgeZA on Twitter or find I-Pledge South Africa on Facebook.

Let’s remember that the people with whom we share the roads every day are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. By collectively acknowledging that they matter to someone, we can make a quantum leap in enhancing safer road use.Click here for more information on IMPERIAL Holdings