WITH wet weather predicted, motorists are advised to take precautionary measures, especially when driving over low lying bridges where rivers could burst their banks and flood the road.
Warning:08/02/2020 08h00 TO:08/02/2020 11h00 Heavy rain leading to localized flooding observed in Ekurhuleni (Brakpan, Tsakane, Springs, Boksburg and KwaThema), Midvaal and Lesedi LMs and parts of Johannesburg in Gauteng.
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) February 8, 2020
Make sure to always have your headlights on, don’t drive too close to the vehicle in front and be careful when applying brakes. Slow down!
Pedestrians are also advised to be extremely cautious when walking over streams and if it looks deeper than normal, don’t attempt to cross.
Residents urged to avoid these areas:
There is no confirmation of N3 Gilloolys being flooded. In terms of Freeways only M1 Double decker JHB at this stage is confirmed.
Backup building both directions.
M1 north is longest queue at this stage (08h20) pic.twitter.com/iuSCqe9z1K— GTP Gauteng Traffic Police (@GTP_Traffstats) February 8, 2020
FLOODED ROADS IN JHB
Witkoppen Road
Paulshof and Sunninghill Bridges flooded and closedN3 Gillooly's flooded in both directions – AVOID
M1 Double-deckers, both directions – AVOID
Buccleuch, Bridge Road
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) February 8, 2020
As at 08h30 there is NO confirmation of FLOODING AT N3 GILLOOLYS.
M1 D.Decker is confirmed closed.Roads are wet and must be treated with due respect.
Keep left Pass Right, Don't park under bridges on Freeways, Drive with Headlamps on dipped beam, #CommonSense4Safety pic.twitter.com/jOisF6eOKG— GTP Gauteng Traffic Police (@GTP_Traffstats) February 8, 2020
Road Safety and Flood Risks for Drivers, Riders and Pedestrians – Obey Warning Signs! Don't Risk Driving through flowing Water!! https://t.co/KGctJvBoYt #ArriveAlive #Flooding @sawx_sa_weather @ReenvalSA @GTP_Traffstats pic.twitter.com/jTBJnVE1A2
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) February 8, 2020
A few tips to help you stay safe:
- Keep a safe driving distance.
- Drive with your head-lights on.
- Avoid speeding in the rain.
- If possible, park your vehicle under shelter and avoid driving in heavy rain.
- The best way to avoid being caught inside your car is to avoid water on the road all together.
- Don’t drive into a flooded bridge or road, if possible, try a different route.
- Listen to the radio for traffic and flood updates so as to know which routes to avoid.
- For your own safety don’t stay in a car that may get flooded.
Vehicle Safety Checklist for Roadworthiness and Safe Driving https://t.co/UbPTID68sH #ArriveAlive #RoadSafety #VehicleChecklist pic.twitter.com/bjBbqdthjE
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) February 7, 2020
