Road safety awareness organisation Arrive Alive has issued a warning to South African motorists to take extra caution when driving on wet and icy roads.
This follows the South African Weather Service issuing a level 9 warning about disruptive weather conditions in parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
This warning is for heavy rain that could cause flooding, as well as severe thunderstorms and snowfall.
Many travel routes have already been affected, such as the N2 from Ingeli towards Kokstad being closed due to snow.
The R58 between Barkley East and West, towards Barkley Pass, has also been closed due to snow, while heavy rains have been reported in parts of KwaZulu-Natal that could lead to flash flooding.
“The Road Traffic Management Corporation advises travellers in affected areas to delay their trips until the situation improves,” said the statement.
Arrive Alive also published the following road safety precautions to drivers who have to drive in the wet and icy conditions:
- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
- Keep your lights and windshield clean.
- Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
- Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
- Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently travelled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
- Don’t pass snow ploughs and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
- Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
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