MZANSI is facing extreme weather conditions this weekend, with level five and nine warnings for rain issued.
According to the South African Weather Service, isolated severe thunderstorms may also develop over the central and southern interior due to cooler air associated with the cut-off low.
Warnings have been issued for Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Western Cape. As a result, MasterDrive South Africa has shared the following tips for motorists who will be driving on wet roads:
- Adjust speed to conditions.
- Turn on your headlights, if they are not on already.
- Aquaplaning is one of the biggest risks in rainy weather. If you aquaplane, slowly lift your foot from the accelerator but do not brake harshly or move the steering wheel violently.
- Leave larger following distances for extra time to respond to challenging situations.
- If you start to skid, do not slam on the brakes. Continue steering in the direction you want to be, without making any harsh adjustments.
- If you feel that it is safer to pull over, avoid stopping on the shoulder of the road and rather do so at a petrol station, where possible.
Motorists have also been urged to avoid driving through fast-flowing water.
