Wet weather driving tips to keep you safe

With the worst storm in 30 years expected to hit Cape Town, the Western Cape administration is advising people to stay at home if possible because of “severe weather conditions”.

James-Brent Styan, spokesman for the MEC of Local Government Anton Bredell, has said that it's important that disaster management and emergency response teams be able to get to situations as quickly as possible‚ and the fewer people on the roads the easier it would be.

If travel is unavoidable, stay safe by following these wet-weather driving tips:

1) Slow down before entering standing water on the road as this may cause the car to “pull” to the side without warning. The water may also be deeper than it looks.

2) Adjust your speed for the condition of the road. Just because a road is marked at 120km/h doesn't mean it is safe to travel at this speed in all conditions. Use your common sense.

3) Stay away from areas where there are known to be adverse conditions. If this is unavoidable, there is a possibility you may to stuck for extended periods, so remember to take extra blankets, appropriate clothing and refreshments, and ensure your tank has enough fuel for the journey.

4) Keep your cellphone charged in case of an emergency or make sure you have a charger in the car.

5) Switch on your headlights, especially when natural light is low. Remember this also alerts other drivers to your presence on the road.

6) Don’t cross low-lying bridges.

•These tips are courtesy of IgnitionLIVE. For more wet-weather driving tips, read the full article.