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06 July 2018 Photo Pixabay
Safety tips for the road ahead
Obey the rules of the road and be safe

The second semester has officially drawn to a close. Many people will be making their way to various destinations across the country. Arrive Alive has useful tips designed to ensure your safety on the road these holidays:

Keep these safety precautions in mind:

• Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s licence with you.

• Do not get stranded without fuel – Always plan ahead where you are going to re-fuel.

• Always ensure that a friend or family member who is not travelling with you, is aware of your planned route. 

• Take safety breaks every two hours or every 200 km.

• Do not drink and drive – if you intend to consume alcohol, make alternative arrangements so that you will not be behind the wheel.

• Remain alert at all times and avoid driver distractions such as cellular conversations, texting, etc.

• South African law requires that each passenger transported in a motor vehicle should make use of a seatbelt and strap themselves in.

• Stay within the speed limit at all times.

• Be especially alert when approaching traffic lights, intersections, and level crossings.


Stay safe on the roads and look forward to the beginning of the second semester on 23 July 2018.

News Archive

UFS takes the lead in solar heating in the Free State
2010-06-03

In the “engine room” of the solar heating system of the Vergeet-my-nie Residence with the big hot water tanks in the background. From the left are Mr Anton Calitz, Electrical Engineer of the UFS, and Mr Nico Janse van Renburg, Manager: Physical Planning at the UFS.
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar


The University of the Free State (UFS) took a further step in reducing its carbon footprint and its dependency on coal fired electricity with the installation of a solar heating system at one of its residences. The contractor handed the system over to the UFS on Wednesday, 2 June 2010.

The system installed at the Vergeet-my-nie Residence is the first commercial solar water heating project in both Bloemfontein and at the UFS. It is estimated that it will provide in 70% of the residence’s energy needs and save approximately R101 000 per annum in electricity cost. The project was completed at a cost of R2,4 million.

More residences at the UFS will be refurbished with solar systems as the existing heating systems in the rest of the twenty residences are due for replacement.

The energy crisis of 2008, and the challenges and necessity to reduce the use of electricity, sparked the initiative around the installation of solar heating systems at the UFS. The UFS is the second largest energy user in Bloemfontein.

Mr Nico Janse van Rensburg, Manager: Physical Planning at the UFS, says the management of the UFS saw an opportunity in the crisis and pro-actively embarked to become a market leader. Solar heating would not only alleviate the electricity problem of South Africa, but will impact the ever increasing electricity bill of the UFS.

“Protecting the environment and being on the cutting edge of technology are core issues to the UFS,” says Janse van Rensburg. “We are an educational institution and take pride in practicing what we preach.”

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (acting)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za  
3 June 2010
 

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