Tree crushes taxi and leaves three injured

Public transport users were alarmed on 7 January when a tree fell onto a taxi on the corner of Caroline and Krause streets in Brixton.

Despite contradicting statements from various media that two people sustained fatal injuries, JMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said no one died as a result of the incident.

“I can confirm that there was an accident during the heavy rain, but no one died. Three people were taken to Netcare Garden City Hospital with minor injuries,” said Minnaar.

Here are a few tips for driving in wet weather conditions from Arrive Alive:

• Increase the three-second rule to five to six seconds to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
• If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually.
• Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
• If you find that an oncoming vehicle is overtaking and will not be likely to do it safely, slow down and be prepared to move to the left shoulder if necessary.
• Only move towards the shoulder if you are able to see clearly 150m ahead of you. Keep in mind that pedestrians may be walking on the shoulder to avoid the mud next to the surface of the road.
• Beware of oil patches. Don’t panic. Do not jam on your brakes, just steer through. In most cases, the patches will be small.
• Always change to a lower gear before you take a bend, especially a sharp bend. Your speed should be at its slowest as you enter the bend and both your hands should be on the steering wheel. This slow in/fast out technique gives you most control when driving around a bend.
• Increase your space cushion by doubling your normal following distance from three seconds to six seconds.
• Turn on your headlights.
• Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
• Use your low-beam headlights to see and be seen. Wait a short time after the rain begins before using your windshield wipers because the blades may smear.
• Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.