With heavy rains and hail storms predicted to cause damage to infrastructure in the parts of South Africa in the upcoming weeks, motorists are being urged to stay safe. Drivers are advised to take extra precautions on the roads. This is also a great consideration with the dilapidated roads, especially with countless potholes sprawled across South African roads.
Such conditions can be hazardous for anyone out on the road, says Keletso Mpisane, Head of digital car insurer, Blink by MiWay. “Poor visibility, slippery roads, and bad driving behaviour can make being on the road hazardous.”
According to a report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), wet roads and poor visibility contributed to more than 27% of all fatal accidents in SA last year. Deteriorating roads peppered with potholes make driving in rainy conditions even more dangerous. In October 2022, there were a reported 25 million potholes sprawled across South African roads.
In the light of the coming wet-weather conditions, Mpisane says there are a few precautions motorists can take to stay safe.
Get a firm grip
A big part of being safe on the road during stormy weather conditions is making sure that your car is in optimum condition, so that you safely can get from point A to point B in wet weather. The condition of your tyres is of prime importance, advises Mpisane.
“Tyres lose grip when driving in wet conditions. The best way to offset this is to periodically check that the tread on your tyres is good. If a tyre is smooth, you could end up skidding on a wet road. You should also check that your tyres are inflated correctly. Over or under-inflation may reduce traction even more. “
Be extra mindful of other road users
Driving defensively could save your life. One of the most underrated considerations for drivers is being aware that other motorists aren’t heeding road rules, or are driving recklessly.
“You may be an excellent driver but always be mindful that you share the road with other motorists who are driving in a way that could cause an accident. Giving them your right of way when you are suspicious of their driving could prevent an accident, protect your health, your car, and your finances,” says Mpisane.
In rainy weather, traffic lights are often out, meaning that intersections are often treated as four-way stops. Be extra careful in these situations, even if it is your right of way. Letting a speeding or reckless driver go first can save you hardship and heartache in many instances.
Maintain good driving behaviour
‘Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you’, is an adage we’re all familiar with. While expecting others to respect the rules of the road, you should too.
No matter how slow traffic may be or how tempting driving faster may seem, don’t speed when the conditions are wet. Avoid driving through pooled water in a dip in the road or trying to cross a fast-flowing, swollen river. Not only do you run the risk of having your car washed away, but the water could also damage your vehicle’s engine and on-board computer.
If you’re driving fast under poor visibility conditions, there is also a risk of driving into potholes, which could affect your car’s wheel alignment.
Get comprehensive cover
Poor road quality is even more of a problem for drivers who don’t have comprehensive cover, as they compromise not only their physical safety but their financial wellbeing too. These drivers may have to take extra rim and tyre cover to cover damages arising from poor road conditions.
“In a country where citizens must daily navigate the hazards of potholes it is unconscionable that we are returning money to National Treasury,” says Barbara Creecy, Minister of Transport. Whilst there are developments in progress to update the roads, it is going to take time to do so, and so one must always be prepared for the worst.
Regular check up
While the overall condition of your car should be top of your checklist of priorities as a driver, it can be costly, meaning that many people skip it.
“Unfortunately, many people wait until it’s too late to check up on the state of their cars. They wait for the car to show signs of something being wrong, like an engine noise or squealing brakes, rather than regularly servicing the car,” warns Mpisane.
Windscreens, brakes, tyres and lights can prove to be a matter of life and death while driving in rainy conditions, and should be regularly checked by certified mechanics and dealers, and not replaced with car products bought from parking lots and at traffic lights.
Tech can be your friend
The car insurance industry has evolved to a point where the insurer will send out a message about anticipated heavy rains or hail that is due to come at a particular time. You can plan your travels around this information to make sure that the forecast is clear and safer to drive.
“The Blink by MiWay app pinpoints a customer’s current location which makes it possible for customers to receive alerts when there’s a hailstorm headed in their direction. This allows them to arrange their travels accordingly,” says Mpisane.
Brake it or make it
Ensure that you regularly maintain your brakes. To test them after going through a puddle by tapping the brake pedal a few times to test the grip. If your brakes don’t seem to be working well, take your car to a certified specialist to check them, advises Mpisane. And, when cleaning your car, avoid steam-cleaning the brake system, particularly with powerful steam cleaners at car washes, as it could impact braking performance.
Another driver safety tip is to check that your car’s demister is working. Mist builds up on the windscreen when the car is warm on the inside and it’s cold outdoors, and your windows are closed to protect you from the rain. A demister should effectively clear moisture and mist from your front windscreen to improve visibility.
It’s prudent to take your car in for a full check-up to make sure that you are ready for the rainy season, concludes Mpisane. It can save money in the long run and improve your safety on the roads, so is an important investment to make.