Early weather forecasts are predicting South Africa will see its lowest temperatures of 2023 over the weekend and early next week. Johannesburg is expected to only have a single digit high. Additionally, large parts of the country are expected to see considerable snowfall including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
While this is a rare and exciting prospect in some parts of the country, it also needs practical preparation. The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, explains: “Drivers in other parts of the world may put their snow tyres on but rarity of snow here means most drivers do not have the extra help. If you fall into the projected area of snowfall or you are planning to drive to catch a glimpse of the snow, keep these tips in mind:
- Defensive driving is your main ‘tool’ to avoid dangerous situations.
- Check tyres are properly inflated.
- Top up your anti-freeze.
- Gently test your brakes to judge how slippery the road is.
- Do not use cruise control.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly to maintain traction and avoid skidding.
- Drive slowly
- Give yourself more time to accelerate, decelerate and stop.
- Increase following distance to 10 to 12 seconds.
- Accelerating up a hill can cause skidding. Gain speed before the hill and slow down at the top.
- Avoid stopping halfway up the hill.
- Switch your headlights to dim. Do not use fog lights as it makes it difficult for oncoming drivers to see.
- It goes without saying, do not use sport mode and switch to snow mode if you have that option.
- If you start to spin, stop accelerating and let the car slow naturally. Braking will extend the skid.
- If you start spinning, steer in the direction of the spin until it is safe to straighten. Do not slam on your brakes.
Black ice
Many areas may experience sleet rather than full snowfall. This can create black ice – a thin layer of transparent ice on the road which forms when sleet or rain freezes as it hits the ground. It is very difficult to see and you can be at its mercy once you hit it:
- Always be alert for black ice: it looks like glossy, slightly wet patches on the road.
- Do not hit the brakes and focus on keeping the steering straight.
- Lift your foot off the accelerator.
- Be careful to not over-steer.
Advice on Safe Driving in Winter https://t.co/0SLXVOQ3w2 #ArriveAlive #RoadSafety #WinterDriving pic.twitter.com/uHwfl2qxQC
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 2, 2023