Be careful during wet weather
Rainy days have been the norm in the new year so far and Netcare 911 urges the public to be careful, while driving in wet weather conditions.
Athlenda Mathe, media liaison officer at Netcare 911, said wet weather conditions are usually associated with poor visibility and gave several tips to follow:
• Make sure your windshield wipers are in a good condition.
• Ensure that your tyres are in a good condition.
• Make sure all headlights, tail lights, brake lights and indicators are properly functioning, to ensure that other drivers can see you during heavy rains.
• Turn on your headlights.
• Maintain a safe following distance between vehicles.
• Overtake only when it is safe to do so.
• Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
• Avoid using your cellphone, while your car is in motion.
• Most importantly, buckle up.
• Ensure that children/babies are secured in a car child seat.
• Don’t drive on roads that you are unfamiliar with.
“Flash floods can occur within six hours of heavy rains – and this can catch people unprepared,” said Mathe.
“You won’t always have a warning that these deadly, sudden floods are coming.
“So if you do live in areas prone to flash floods, make sure you are safe.”
Tips to follow during flash floods:
• Always memorise emergency numbers, in this case 082 911 (Netcare 911).
• Avoid low lying areas. Climb to higher ground if you find yourself in the middle of a flash flood.
• Avoid walking or driving through flash floods.
• Abandon your vehicle immediately, if you find yourself in the middle of a flash flood, open the window and escape.
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