During Easter from 7 to 10 April, thousands of motorists will take a well-earned break over the long weekend. During this period, roads are notoriously dangerous, and extra precautions need to be taken.

It is, therefore, essential to have a safety check performed on your vehicle to identify potential hazards and prevent additional damage before it happens.

In a proactive initiative to help make our roads safer over Easter, the Vehicle Testing Association (VTA), an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), is offering motorists free safety checks from 3 to 6 April, before the start of the Easter weekend.

Julian Pillay, national director of the VTA, says although modern cars are manufactured to be safe, high performing and comfortable, parts do wear out and even the smallest of complications and defects can impair your vehicle’s performance or handling, risking the safety of all passengers.

“A detailed inspection of your vehicle by a professional and experienced vehicle examiner can help determine if it needs repairs or maintenance, and most importantly, whether the vehicle is safe for a long trip,” Julian says. He adds that these safety checks are “no-obligation” checks and purely aimed at creating safety awareness for the motoring public.

Each year, VTA and RMI do their bit for road safety and this year they are proud to once again announce the launch of their free Easter season safety campaign. He says the check is essential to ensure that all lights, seat belts, windscreen wipers, tyres, brakes, steering mechanism, suspension, exhaust and wheel alignment are all intact before starting the long journey.

To locate your nearest participating Testing Station, please check on the RMI website for the RMI regional office in your area. They will be able to advise which stations are participating in the main metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, there are currently no members in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Free State and Eastern Cape

“Remember, this is not a roadworthy test, but rather a Safety Critical Test to ensure that your vehicle is free from defects before you start your journey,” says Julian.