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What to do when caught in a flood or rain
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has sent out several tips for motorists to follow during flash floods and when driving in wet conditions.
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Here are some tips when facing a flash flood:
- Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas‚ even if the water looks shallow enough to cross
- Leave your vehicle if it stalls and move immediately to higher ground
- Never drive into water that covers the road, you do not know how deep it is or whether the road underneath has been washed away
- During heavy rains be on special alert near dips in the highway and near low-lying bridges
- Exercise caution‚ especially at night when visibility is poor
- Pedestrians must avoid areas where water is flowing rapidly
- Keep children away from playing in drainage ditches or storm water drains.
13 tips for driving in the rain:
- Always turn on your vehicle’s headlights in wet weather
- In heavy rain, use the brighter (rear fog lights) setting for your car’s tail lights
- Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition and do a clean sweep
- Do not allow the inside of your car’s windows to mist up. Switch on front and rear screen demisters and your air conditioner
- Check your tyre tread: the legal minimum is 1mm but for safety’s sake, make sure it’s treble that
- Worn shock-absorbers don’t keep the rubber hard down on the road; no road contact means no anti-lock braking system (ABS), no grip and very little braking
- Cloudy conditions and rain equals poor visibility. Take extra care when overtaking and remember not all drivers coming towards you will have their headlights on
- Adjust speed and following distance; leave at least six seconds to the car ahead. Ensure you can stop within the visible area ahead
- Avoid abrupt acceleration, braking and steering which can result in skidding
- Don’t drive through deep water. It could damage your car and possibly cost you your life
- If you have no option but to drive through such water, then drive slowly in a low gear, holding the steering wheel steady
- After driving in heavy rain allow your brakes to dry – especially if your vehicle has drum brakes
- If you experience car/bike trouble, turn on your hazard lights and try to move completely off the road. If possible, ensure that you have a reflective warning triangle to erect some distance behind your vehicle.
Also read:
Floods leave Benoni in deep trouble
Cars on highway submerged in heavy rains
Storm creates havoc on East Rand – two believed drowned near Linksfield
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