Free vehicle fitness testing by Provincial Traffic Services ahead of Easter

Media release by Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Minister of Mobility

Ahead of the Easter school holiday, I would like to wish all motorists a safe journey on the roads. As many of us prepare to travel, please remember to have your motor vehicles checked before leaving. This is critical to ensuring your safety on the road, as well as the safety of all other road users; so that you will all get to and from your destinations safely.

Following last year’s significant reduction in road fatalities during the Easter period, we sincerely hope this trend continues with as few accidents as possible. As part of the Easter road safety plans for this year, and for the first time, Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services will be providing vehicle fitness checks for free.

All motorists are invited to bring their vehicles to the Gene Louw Traffic College in Brackenfell for a FREE vehicle fitness test between 1 and 5 April. The checks will include tyres, lights, brakes, suspension, CV joints, electrical, fuel supply system, exhaust, wipers, and licence disc. This will be open and free to all motorists.

I will officially launch the Easter safety plan to the media on Monday, 3 April 2023 at 09:15 for 10:00 at the Gene Louw Traffic College. We will use this opportunity to encourage travellers to take responsibility for their own and others’ safety by driving responsibly and being on high alert as traffic volumes are expected to increase considerably during the Easter holiday.

It is up to each one of us, whether a driver, a passenger or a pedestrian, to be the change we want to see on the roads.

There are simple ways to make holiday drives safe apart from ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy before you hit the road. For a start, just make sure everyone is buckled up - that will massively reduce chances of serious injury if something goes wrong.

If you rest after 200km, or two hours, you drastically reduce fatigue. Everyone who's crashed after nodding off will tell you - it just takes a heartbeat with your eyes closed to lose a loved one, or cause a life-changing accident.

Speeding is tempting on the long haul, but can be deadly - you won't go wrong if you follow the speed limits and keep an eye on the road markings. They're there for a reason. Just take it slow - can a couple of hours really be worth a life?

Most adults recognise that it goes without saying that alcohol and drugs do not mix well with roads. Small rules can equal big changes. No one should be killed on our roads. Together, we can make that happen.