Motorists in KwaZulu-Natal are urged to exercise extreme caution, especially on the roads as severe weather including disruptive rain and possible flooding has been forecast for parts of the province.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Media.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has issued an urgent safety warning to motorists as severe weather conditions, including heavy downpours and disruptive rainfall, are set to lash large parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
"The RTMC is reminding motorists about wet roads in most parts of the country; therefore, [we] urge motorists to drive carefully, stay alert, and allow safe travelling distances to avoid crashes that cause traffic backlogs," the corporation stated in a media release on Monday.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has placed the province under several impact-based warnings, ranging from Yellow Level 2 to a more severe Yellow Level 4. This will result in "scattered showers and thunderstorms and disruptive rainfalls that are likely to affect visibility over most parts of KwaZulu-Natal."
According to the SAWS, a Yellow Level 4 warning is in place for the northern parts of KZN, where "severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, excessive lightning, and hail resulting in flooding and damage to infrastructure and settlements are expected."
Meanwhile, a Yellow Level 2 warning was issued for the southern parts. Forecasters warned that these areas should expect "severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, excessive lightning, and hail resulting in localised flooding." In addition to the rain, the SAWS issued an advisory stating that "hot and humid weather will result in extremely uncomfortable conditions over the extreme north-eastern parts of KZN today."
The RTMC further cautioned that driving conditions on major routes are being hampered by thick fog, noting that "driving conditions on some of these routes will be affected by fog, which will make visibility poor." The corporation added that "heavy downpours are likely to lead to flooding of low-lying areas," making visibility a primary concern for both long-distance travellers and daily commuters.
To mitigate the risk of crashes, the RTMC urged road users to strictly adhere to safety protocols. The corporation advised drivers to reduce speed because wet roads can be slippery, and told motorists to "drive at a reduced speed to maintain control of your vehicle."
The statement also emphasised the need to "maintain a safe distance by increasing the gap between vehicles to allow for longer stopping distances." Furthermore, the RTMC told drivers to "keep your headlights on to improve visibility and ensure visibility to other drivers, avoid sudden manoeuvres as sudden braking or sharp turns can lead to loss of control on slippery surfaces."
Finally, the corporation asked drivers to be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists who may also be struggling with reduced visibility and challenging conditions. The RTMC concluded by telling the public to "stay informed" and "stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and traffic reports."
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