By Staff Writer
As the Easter break approaches, South African roads will once again carry thousands of travellers heading home, going on holiday or visiting loved ones. It is a time of connection and movement, but also one of the most dangerous periods on our roads.
While conversations around road safety often focus on speeding and driver behaviour, there is another risk that quietly contributes to accidents every day. Potholes.
They may seem like a minor inconvenience, but on a busy road, especially at night or in wet conditions, a pothole can trigger sudden swerving, loss of control or even a serious crash. For drivers travelling longer distances over Easter, often on unfamiliar routes, this risk becomes even greater.
Why potholes are more dangerous than they look
Potholes are not just surface damage. They are structural weaknesses in the road. When water seeps into cracks and vehicles pass over them, the surface eventually collapses. What appears to be a small hole can disrupt your steering, damage your tyres or force you into dangerous evasive manoeuvres.
During heavy rains, they become harder to see, blending into the road surface and catching drivers off guard. In these moments, it is often not the pothole itself that causes the accident, but how a driver reacts to it.
What to do when you encounter a pothole
The instinct to react quickly is natural, but how you respond matters. If you notice uneven road surfaces ahead, reduce your speed gradually and stay alert. Avoid sudden swerving, especially if there are other vehicles around you, as this can lead to collisions. Maintaining a safe following distance gives you more time to react and adjust safely.
At night, it is important to drive within your visible range so that you are not caught off guard by hazards you cannot see in time. Above all, remain calm. Controlled, steady decisions are far safer than sudden movements
Why fixing it yourself is not the answer
Many drivers feel tempted to fix potholes themselves, particularly on roads they use every day. While the intention is good, the reality is that proper pothole repair is a technical process.
Without the correct materials and methods, a temporary fix can trap water beneath the surface and accelerate further damage. In some cases, this creates an even bigger hazard for other road users. Effective repairs require specialised equipment, heat and pressure to properly seal and stabilise the road surface, ensuring the pothole does not reopen.
The small action that makes a big difference
Instead of attempting to fix potholes, reporting them is the most effective way to make a difference. In Johannesburg, the Discovery Pothole Patrol initiative has demonstrated the impact of collective action. Since 2021, more than 334,000 potholes have been repaired across the city, with over 92,000 reported by residents using the app.
This shows that everyday road users play a vital role in improving road safety. By simply logging a pothole using the Discovery Pothole Patrol app, you help repair teams identify and prioritise high-risk areas. It is a small action that contributes to safer roads for everyone.
A shared responsibility this Easter
Safer roads are not only the responsibility of authorities. They depend on awareness, consideration and action from all of us. As you travel this Easter, take a moment to think beyond your own journey. Drive with care, stay alert to hazards and report what needs attention.
Every safe decision matters. Every reported pothole contributes to change. And every journey that ends safely is one less statistic, and one more family kept whole.
