A major road safety promotion will be held on the N2 near Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape on Friday 16 December 2011 by PG Glass, the S. A. Police Services (SAPS), the Eastern Cape Department of Transport (DOT), Netcare 911, the Grahamstown Emergency Medical & Rescue Services (EMRS) and the Makana Fire Services.
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.
The radio station 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.