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How NOT to find yourself in an N12 horror

SAMANTHA GREATHEAD

The global average of human deaths as a result of car crashes is 18 per 100 000. While accurate figures are difficult to obtain, the World Health Organisation says South Africa has the world's sixth most-deadly roads.

The most recent stats from 2010 say that country's death rate due to car crashes was 31.9/100 000 people- almost double the world

If these figures seem alarming, they should not be. About 50% of South African driving licences have been obtained fraudulently so every second driver can be considered incompetent.

GRASP THE BASICS

If those who are driving around with licences obtained illegally had an opportunity to go re-acquaint themselves with K53 driving principles we could drastically reduce the 17 000 car crashes that occur every day and the annual 20 000 road deaths.*

The importance of ensuring drivers have a strong grasp of the basics of K53 is especially important for business owners. When an employee presents you with a driving licence there is no way to know if it was obtained legitimately.

Sending drivers for a K53 remedial course could help you avoid finding yourself at the centre of a tragedy such as that on the N12 near Alberton recently.

Driver-training company MasterDrive has a K53 remedial course which could be your saving grace. Its MD, Eugene Herbert, told Wheels24: “Many drivers on South African roads have less than ideal skills – ultimately, they can’t drive.

"This course should enhance your drivers' skills."

KNOW THE TECHNIQUES

Even so, it is one thing to know the theory of how to drive according to the rules of K53 and another to put it into practice. A K53 remedial course acts as a precursor to a full advanced-driving course during which people can put the basics into practice in a one-on-one interaction.

Safe driving takes more than safety checks and adequate following distances, you also need to know techniques for driving on congested roads and at night.

Another sad reality is that many people may not know how to drive according to K53 standards because they never had the opportunity to learn. If you own a company that invests in its people, a K53 course gives you an opportunity to change that and consequently change lives.

'SAFE DRIVING AN ART'

Herbert added: "This training is great for companies that wish to offer an upgrade to employees who want a driving licence - a passport to a better life. Companies who take a proactive stance in their employees extract greater value.

""Perfecting an art requires basic knowledge. Ultimately, driving safely is an art and requires extensive understanding of the K53 rules to perfect it. A K53 remedial course gives you and your employees the opportunity to reacquaint yourselves with those rules."

*For the record, at least 40% of those deaths are pedestrians. - Editor

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