When it comes to road safety for South African citizens, proper use of mirrors is of the utmost importance. Many unnecessary accidents have been caused due to inadequate use of mirrors, leading to devastating results. In fact, statistics from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) indicate that more than 10,000 people die in South African roads due to car accidents every year. This is an alarming figure, and any effort to reduce this number should be taken seriously.
The correct application of mirrors helps drivers stay aware of their surroundings and maintain the necessary distance from other vehicles. This helps avoid road incidents, such as swerving into another lane, ramming a car in front, or colliding with oncoming traffic.
Thanks to their design and placement, side mirrors give a relatively wide field of view to the driver. They allow them to be aware of the traffic behind them and to the side, in order to make the best driving decisions. When driving in a city with a lot of traffic, they can even help the driver be aware of hazards and other challenging situations. Moreover, using the mirrors when turning helps avoid collisions with other cars or people on the streets.
In addition to the sides, rear-view and wing mirrors have an important role in road safety. While the rear-view mirrors offer a full view of what is happening behind the car, wing mirrors are great for situations where the rear-view mirror cannot be relied upon because of the risk of blindside collisions, such as in parking spaces or when changing lanes.
Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with proper mirror usage. Drivers who are taught on how to use mirrors in the right way are less likely to be involved in an accident, but lack of knowledge still leads to crashes every year. As such, drivers should be informed that, when driving, one must always remain aware of their surroundings by regularly checking all mirrors and being mindful of how it affects their driving and other people’s safety.
It is important to note that proper use of mirrors is not just beneficial to the driver, but also to other people on the road. By being aware of other traffic and remaining aware of the full view while driving, the wellbeing of the entire road can be dramatically improved.
To sum up, proper usage of mirrors is essential to reduce the amount of road accidents in South Africa. All drivers should be trained on how to correctly use mirrors, and be reminded as often as possible of the importance of regularly checking them.
At QikTruck, we understand the importance of proper use of mirrors for both our customers' safety and that of all people on the road. We take our responsibility in this matter seriously, and that is why we make sure that all our truck drivers have been trained on proper mirror usage before allowing them on the road. As an on-demand truck and driver hire service, we are proud to be providing a safe and reliable means to transport goods. Our customers can rest assured that our exquisite fleet of truck and trained drivers are prepared to ensure a safe and pleasant drive.