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.
Also read:
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za