Tyres, check. Oil, check. Mind … check.

We are fast approaching the holiday season and many of our members are preparing themselves for long, inter-provincial travel during the festive season. Ahead of the expected increase in road traffic, the Automobile Association (AA) encourages motorists to ensure that their vehicles are mechanically sound and travel-ready before they embark on long trips.

The AA provides a reliable, trustworthy, and credible way to do just that through its 125-point offered through AA Auto Centres or at one of the many AA Quality Approved outlets around South Africa. The 125-point check not only gives owners a detailed snapshot of the health of their vehicles, but expert technicians can also perform repairs and maintenance to ensure hassle-free motoring for your holiday. Schools officially close for 2024 on 11 December, and many businesses will also begin winding down operations around this time ahead of their own festive season breaks. If you have not done so yet, visit an outlet soon to get your vehicle checked before it is too late.

Beyond the mechanical soundness of the vehicle, an often-overlooked element of motoring is the wellness of the driver. In appreciation of mental health awareness, and in the interests of improved road safety, the AA also appeals to motorists to ensure they are mentally prepared for their journeys. This includes an appreciation for the likely congestion on major routes, and consideration for their general mental well-being ahead of embarking on a long journey.

Fatigue, both mental and physical, is a significant contributor to lapses in concentration on the road, and the AA urges drivers to be alert and aware when they are behind the wheel. Being tired while driving has been compared to being intoxicated while driving and can contribute to serious crashes, especially when driving at higher speeds or at night. Feeling sleepy or drowsy, delayed reflexes, impatience, and indecisiveness are some of the indicators of fatigue.

Should you be experiencing any of these indicators and believe that your driving may be impaired, the AA advises that you rest and regather yourself before continuing your journey. Remember that your state of mind not only affects your passengers but also all other road users, so it is critical that you are in the right state of mind to operate a vehicle.

And it is not just vehicle and mental health the AA is advocating for, personal safety while on the road is also an important element of travelling for which we have a solution.

The AA’s Amica device is a small, personal hand-held device which alerts the nearest security or medical service provider to your location and immediately dispatches assistance if you need it. This is another layer of products and services of the AA to keep you mobile and safe on the road.

End-of-the-year journeys are a tradition in South Africa and should create lasting memories for the whole family. If you are planning on a road trip this year, remember to keep your vehicle and mind well maintained and ready for the journey, and ready to create memories to last a lifetime.