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A major road safety promotion will be held on the N2 near Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape on Friday 16 December 2011.
The major partners in the promotion are the Police, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport (DOT), Netcare 911, the Grahamstown Emergency Medical & Rescue Services, the Makana Fire Services and PG Glass.
The SAPS-DOT policing partnership will be providing road safety hints and tips to help ensure that road users reach their destinations safely during the festive season, while the accident response and roadside assistance teams and vehicles of Netcare 911, the local EMRS and fire services will be on stand by at the venue.
In a case of emergency, road users can call 0800 644 644. This number will be manned 24 hours per day, seven days a week during the festive period.
PG Glass will be doing free chip repairs at the venue, and also distribute important road safety information, road condition reports and gifts.
Algoa FM will broadcast road safety messages on Thursday and Friday.
Chief Traffic Officer for the Eastern Cape, Chris Williams, urged motorists to:
Stick to the legal speed limit
Adhere to the rules of the road at all times, and
Keep a safe following distance.
Bernice Bailey, Marketing Director of the PG Group, says the core message from PG Glass will be stressing the importance of safety breaks and windscreen safety.
"Few people are aware that the windscreen can contribute up to 60% to a vehicle's structural safety in case of an accident," she says.
"Negligence in this respect can cost lives. Even a small chip can eventually compromise the vehicle's structural safety if it is not fixed promptly."
"A windscreen consists of two pieces of glass stuck together with a piece of virgin vinyl - like a sandwich. Dirt and moisture that enter at the chip can weaken the strength of the windscreen on the long run, lessening the ability of the windscreen to help prevent the caving in of the vehicle's roof."
Other benefits of correctly manufactured and well-fitted windscreens include:
Effective functioning of the airbag system
Prevention of projectiles penetrating the windscreen
Keeping passengers in the vehicle in the event of an accident, and
Prevention of damage to eyes.
Bailey says the initiative is part of PG Glass's ongoing commitment to promote road safety in South Africa.
ROAD CONDITION REPORT
N2 Port Elizabeth (Coega IDZ) to Colchester
Stop/go controls
Between Coega and Colchester construction works are in progress with limited impact on road users. Caution should be exercised at construction vehicle entry and exiting positions. 60 km/h restrictions are in place for working hours. Expected date of completion is March 2013.
Dutywa/Mthatha/Kei River
Roadworks
The road is in fair to poor condition and is prone to potholes after heavy rains. Roadworks are in progress with stop/go controls and lane reductions. Beware of pedestrians and stray animals.
Mount Ayliff/Brooks Nek
Roadworks
Roadworks are in progress between Mount Ayliff and Brooks Nek. Expected date of completion is March 2014.
R67 Grahamstown/Queenstown
Pedestrians and stray animals
There is no scheduled maintenance but roadworks may be encountered together with stop/go controls resulting in short delays. Motorists are advised to be aware of wild animals and pedestrians in the urban areas of Cradock and Queenstown.
N6 Jamestown/Aliwal North
Roadworks
Roadworks in progress. Motorists are advised to adhere to the reduced speed limit and allow extra travelling time.
Aliwal North/Bloemfontein
Roadworks
Motorists are advised to adhere to the permanent and temporary road signs when passing through Smithfield and Reddersburg as construction is underway with three stop/go controls in operation. Expected date of completion is December 2012.
