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Caught in heavy Joburg rain? Here's what motorists should do

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<b>HEAVY FLOODING IN JOZI:</b> Heavy rains are causing major floods throughout Gauteng. We list helpful tips and guidelines on dealing with flooded roads and adverse weather conditions. <i>Image: Max Cohen / EMER-G-MED</i>
<b>HEAVY FLOODING IN JOZI:</b> Heavy rains are causing major floods throughout Gauteng. We list helpful tips and guidelines on dealing with flooded roads and adverse weather conditions. <i>Image: Max Cohen / EMER-G-MED</i>

Johannesburg - Heavy rains have lashed Gauteng, flooding major parts of Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.

Many motorists have reported roads submerged during rush-hour traffic, including the entry road to OR Tambo International Airport.

One of the worst affected routes is the R24 westbound, where emergency officials reported vehicles submerged in flood waters.

Emergency officials at Emer-G-Med confirmed that at least one person has drowned in the flash floods along the N3 in Linksfield.

Weather Update: More thunderstorms forecast for Gauteng

Dangerous road conditions

Driving through water can be incredibly dangerous and cause serious damage to your vehicle.

We've included 13 essential tips for driving in heavy rain and flooded areas in SA.

13 tips for driving in the rain:

 
  1 Always turn on your vehicle’s headlights in wet weather. 
  2 In heavy rain use the brighter (rear fog lights) setting for your car’s tail lights. 
  3 Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition and do a clean sweep. 
  4 Do not allow the inside of your car's windows to mist up. Switch on front and rear screen demisters and your aircon - yes, an aircon dries the air and removes mist almost instantly.
  5 Check your tyre tread: the legal minimum is 1mm but for safety's sake make sure it's treble that.
  6 Worn shock-absorbers don't keep the rubber hard down on the road; no road contact = no ABS, no grip and very little braking.
  7 Cloudy and rain = poor visibility. Take extra care when overtaking - and remember not all drivers coming towards you will have their headlights on.
  8 Adjust speed and following distance; at least six seconds to the car ahead. Ensure you can stop within the visible area ahead. 
  9 Avoid abrupt acceleration, braking and steering which can result in a skid.
10 Don't drive through deep water. It could damage your car and possibly cost you your life.
11 If you have no option but to drive through such water, then drive slowly in a low gear, holding the steering wheel steady.
12 After driving in heavy rain allow your brakes to dry - especially if your vehicle has drum brakes. 
13 If you experience car/bike trouble turn on your hazard lights and try to move completely off the road. If possible, ensure that you have a reflective warning triangle to erect some distance behind your vehicle.

Image by Max Cohen/EMER-G-MED

The dangers of rapid, flowing water on our roads: List provided by Arrive Alive 

  • Flowing water applies pressure to contact areas. The higher the speed the higher the pressure.

  • With water that is 1m high it will flow out at a speed of 4.47 meters per second or 16km/h.
  • Water that has fallen only 0.4m reaches a speed of 3.2km/h and can sweep a car off a road bridge.
  • When water touches the underside of a vehicle, depending on the strength of the flow, it can lift a vehicle and even carry it away.
  • A water depth of only 0.6m can float a car.

Image by Max Cohen/EMER-G-MED

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