Motorists urged to exercise extreme caution on roads in foul weather

With forecasts that South Africa will experience heavy rain in some parts of the country, the Department of Transport has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads.

Inclement weather conditions

According to the South African Weather Services (SAWS), inclement weather conditions will continue to affect the country’s roads until Friday, 10 January.

Heavy rain, strong winds, and reduced visibility are expected to persist creating hazardous driving conditions.

On Wednesday, 8 January, poor visibility as well as slippery roads have been predicted in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

“Under these conditions, motorists are strongly advised not to drive between 18:00 and 01:00 in these three provinces,” the department said.

In Limpopo the roads that will be affected by these conditions are as follows:

•    N1 and R101 from Limpopo to Gauteng,
•    N11 from AllDay to Marble Hall,
•    R33 from Lephalala via Marble Hall,
•    R40 from Phalaborwa to Barberton,
•    R534 from Thohoyandou to Makhado,
•    R71 from Tzaneen to Polokwane and
•    R81 from Giyani to Polokwane.

In Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal, roads to be affected are the following:

•    N4, N12, N11, N17, N3, R40 and R33.

“No warning has been issued for Thursday and Friday. However, Mpumalanga and Limpopo will be affected by strong thundershowers from the early hours of the morning to about 10:00. These conditions would lead to poor visibility and slippery roads, particularly on the R573 Moloto Road, from Marble Hall to Pretoria.

“The current road crashes and fatalities are of great concern, and motorists are urged to take responsibility for their safety,” the department said.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on motorists to consider the following important safety tips:

• Reduce speed: Wet roads can be slippery. Drive at a reduced speed to maintain control of your vehicle.
• Maintain a safe distance: Increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front to allow for longer stopping distances.
• Use headlights: Keep your headlights on to improve visibility and ensure you are visible to other drivers.
• Avoid sudden maneuvers: Sudden braking or sharp turns can lead to loss of control on slippery surfaces.
• Be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists: They may also be struggling with reduced visibility and challenging conditions.
• Stay informed: Keep updated with the latest weather forecasts and traffic reports.

Do you try and avoid driving late at night in general?

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