ALERT: Storm slowly moving north to Joburg from the east
The South African Police Service provides tips for drivers making their way home this afternoon.
Gauteng Weather has issued an alert that a storm that is currently in the east is slowly making its way to the north of Joburg on October 18.
🔴 DANGER: FLOODING IN ALBERTON. SAME STORM CURRENTLY EAST OF JOBURG, SLOWLY MOVING TO NORTHERN AREAS | 📸ALBERTON REKORD pic.twitter.com/XpCnDLf7hG
— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) October 18, 2022
Earlier this afternoon, Gauteng Weather reported that the same storm was accompanied by lots of small hail stoans over parts of Johannesburg south and east.
🔴 ALERT: MULTIPLE REPORTS OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMALL HAIL ASSOCIATED WITH STORM OVER PARTS OF SOUTHERN/SE JOHANNESBURG!!!
— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) October 18, 2022
⚠️ BIG HAILSTORM IN MEYERSDAL & SURROUNDING PARTS OF SOUTHERN JOHANNESBURG ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON!!! | 📸 SUPPLIED pic.twitter.com/IDsEHQPWoN
— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) October 18, 2022
The South African Police Service provided some tips for drivers making their way home this afternoon:
Be especially careful when the rain first starts:
When the roads are dry for a long period, engine oil and grease build up on roads and highways. As soon as the first drops of rain start to fall, the water mixes with this build-up making the roads incredibly slick.
Slow down:
You should always drive at a slower speed when the roads are wet. The faster you drive in a rainstorm, the more likely you are to have an accident. Leave the house earlier than usual to give yourself additional travel time so you won’t feel the urge to rush.
Brake earlier and slower:
When you need to slow down or stop on wet roads, ease on the brakes earlier and with less force than you would normally. This decreases your risk of hydroplaning and keeps a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. It also alerts any drivers behind you to slow down. If you stop too suddenly in a rainstorm, you could get rear-ended.
Avoid big puddles:
If you spot a huge puddle in the road up ahead, drive around it or take a different route. Depending on how deep the water is, it could even float your car. If you aren’t sure just how deep a puddle is, steer clear of it altogether.
Turn on your headlights:
Even if just a few raindrops are falling, turn on your headlights. Not only will this help you see the road, but it will help other drivers see you. However, don’t use your high beams in the rain. This can actually reduce your visibility and blind other drivers.
Turn on your defroster:
Your windshield can fog up quickly during a rainstorm, which can cause you to lose sight of the road. Turn on your front and rear defrosters and the air conditioning to defog your windows.
Keep an eye out for pedestrians:
In a rainstorm, a pedestrian’s view of the road could be obscured by their umbrella —which means they may accidentally step into the road at the wrong time. If you are driving in a city or another area with pedestrians, keep a close eye out for people on the road.
Pull over if the rain is too heavy:
If the rain is falling so hard that you can barely see the car in front of you, pull over and wait for the rain to slow down or stop. After all, it’s much better for you to make it to your destination a little late than not at all.
Don’t brake if you hydroplane:
If you feel your car starting to hydroplane, don’t brake suddenly or turn the steering wheel. This could send you into a skid. Instead, ease off the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until you feel your tires regain traction. If you have to brake and don’t have anti-lock brakes, tap the brake pedal lightly. If you do have anti-lock brakes, you can brake normally.
