How roadworthy is your car?

The South African economy forks out over 300 billion Rand each year on car accidents. In addition to drunken driving, a major factor in these incidents is that many of the vehicles aren’t roadworthy.

So maybe it’s time to ask yourself if your car is in tip-top working condition.

Measuring safety

One of the most important pre-requisites of taking out car insurance is roadworthiness. When getting your vehicle approved, there are 5 things you need to check to ensure that it will pass any police clearance. These are:

1. Seatbelts…  This may seem an obvious point, but it’s one of the most common reasons that vehicles fail the test. Your safety belts must be able to extend, fasten and unclasp easily. It’s also important to make sure they’re not torn or damaged in any way. You don’t lose points if it does that horrible twisty-thing when you unclasp it, as long as it works in every other way.
2. Tyres…  Inspect these regularly to be certain that the tread is at least 1mm deep across the whole tyre (use a match stick of regular thickness to check if you’re not sure). The same requirement applies to your spare wheel. Ensure that the pressure and alignment is correct, and that your shock absorbers are in order.
3. Electrical systems… This is a particularly dangerous aspect to neglect. In fact, it’s another common factor contributing to why most cars fail the test. Indicators, wipers, wiring and lights, as well as your battery and hooter all need to be working. If they don’t, it could cause a serious accident.
4. Brakes…  Just ask the guys who handle the rides at Gold Reef City, the importance of these can’t be overstated.  Take care of your car by regularly checking the brake-fluid level. It’s strongly advised that you get a trusted professional to tend to and change both the front and rear disc pads.

Uphold and protect

It is a strict legal requirement that every car in use be roadworthy. Public vehicles, such as busses, trucks and taxis, undergo inspections annually in order to renew licences. Your personal vehicle should be vetted just as frequently. If you compile a checklist, it’ll be easier to make sure that your ride is safe at all times.

When it comes to your car, it’s vital to keep everything in order. Secure your own safety, and respect other motorists and pedestrians by taking your vehicle in for regular roadworthy checks. Check with Seattle DUI defense lawyer for legal counseling in case of penalties charged for drunk driving or other violations on the road.