Prevent crashes in wet weather, particularly vehicles overturning
JOBURG – Motorists, take extra caution on the roads during rainy weather.
After the heavy rains this past weekend, visuals of vehicles swept over or overturned were widely shared on social media but if motorists slow down and are cautious on the road, this can be avoidable.
Flash floods and rivers overflowing have led to road closures in Fourways and Paulshof. Motorists were advised to prevent crossing particular roads across Johannesburg.
Heavy rainfall since yesterday has resulted in flash floods in some parts of @CityofJoburgZA We urge residents to exercise caution on all roads, low lying areas & near rivers. Officers from all Fire Stations along with @JoburgMPD are attending to various incidents citywide pic.twitter.com/UV16jZQVWT
— City of Joburg EMS (@CityofJoburgEMS) February 8, 2020
🌊FLOOD-PRONE AREAS:
Alexandra
Bedfordview
Benoni
Centurion
Edenvale
Fourways
Joburg central
Kempton Park
Soweto
N3, M1 & R23 highways
All areas around Jukskei, Hennops & Apies
Low-lying bridges— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) February 8, 2020
Stanley Bezuidenhout from Forensic Road Transport and Risk Expert Crash Guys International provided information on the Netcare 911 website that crashes are often caused 85 per cent by human error, 10 per cent vehicle factors and five per cent environmental factors.
Under environmental factors, the increased risk of an overturned vehicle includes rain, snow and ice due to the reduced road surface friction, Bezuidenhout explained.
This video shows the risks involved in driving in wet weather:
Not Witkoppen this is under the Witkoppen bridge between Fourways Mall and MonteCasino.. Witkoppen is above https://t.co/b1rt8BIK5J
— I Have Alot To Say💭 (@OnkeBlack) February 8, 2020
Bezuidenhout said that the most important factors motorists need to keep in mind to avoid your vehicle being swept away or overturned is to reduce your speed, be able to predict danger, look out for sharp bends and make sure your vehicle is operating very well, checking your tyres, brakes and steering system.
If you are indoors and the heavy rain has already started, it is always better and safer to stay indoors.
Related articles:
https://fourwaysreview.co.za/320717/police-warn-public-cautious-rainy-conditions-flash-flooding/
https://fourwaysreview.co.za/320687/flooding-expected-several-parts-jhb/
