Maintaining Your Fleet
Maintaining vehicle tyres, brakes, and shocks is crucial for ensuring the safety of fleet drivers, passengers, and other road users, and is one of the most effective ways to mitigate risk. Here are a few compelling reasons why companies should prioritise regular maintenance of these critical components:
Improved vehicle handling and control:
Well-maintained tyres, brakes, and shocks can improve the handling and control of the vehicle, reducing the likelihood of accidents caused by loss of control, such as skids or hydroplaning.
Early identification of potential issues:
Regular maintenance can help to identify potential issues with tyres, brakes or shocks before they become major problems, allowing for early intervention and repair. This can prevent costly breakdowns and repairs and reduce the risk of accidents caused by equipment failure.
Enhanced safety culture:
By prioritising vehicle maintenance, companies can promote a culture of safety among their drivers and other employees, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of all road users.
TYRES
Tyres are the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road, and they play a crucial role in ensuring safe driving. Worn or underinflated tyres can lead to decreased traction, longer stopping distances, overheating, increased risk of punctures, and aquaplaning, making it more difficult to avoid accidents.
Badly maintained tyres and rims are a leading cause of car accidents in South Africa. It’s estimated that more than two-thirds of South Africans use second-hand tyres to save on motor vehicle costs. It’s further estimated that more than 60% of second-hand tyres in SA are illegal.
In the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) seasonal, quarterly and annual reports, burst tyres are stated as the leading vehicle-related cause of accidents in South Africa, with up to 73% of vehicle failures attributed to tyres alone.
Tyres can be expensive to replace, and unfortunately many people believe they can get another few hundred kilometres out of their existing tyres before changing, when in fact this is not the case.
- We all know tyres must have sufficient tread to be roadworthy, but they also have an expiry date – tyres expire after five years, even when they have not been used.
- If you get into an accident and your insurer deems the expired tyres or poor condition of the tyres have contributed, it may reject your claim
Brakes
Brakes are the most important safety feature of any vehicle, and they need to be in good working order to ensure that the driver can stop the vehicle quickly and safely. Worn brake pads, low brake fluid levels, or damaged brake lines can all compromise the effectiveness of the brakes.
Shocks
Shocks are responsible for keeping the tyres in contact with the road, which is critical for maintaining control of the vehicle. Worn or damaged shocks can lead to a bumpy ride, decreased stability, and longer stopping distances, all of which can increase the risk of accidents.
By properly maintaining their vehicles, companies can reduce risk, improve safety, and protect their drivers and other road users from harm. By taking a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance, companies can help to prevent accidents, protect their assets, and build a strong safety culture.
