By Staff Writer
South Africans went to the polls last week to choose who will run their municipalities for the next five years. But while the election results have been announced, motorists are still negotiating the familiar realities of local government: potholes, broken traffic lights, blocked drains and roads that become increasingly difficult to navigate when the rains arrive.
For drivers, these are more than service-delivery frustrations. They are daily safetyhazards.
Gauteng's Department of Roads and Transport has already warned that persistent rainfall can damage road infrastructure, cause waterlogging and affect traffic signals and street lighting.
As newly elected councillors prepare to take office, the condition of our roads deserves urgent attention. In the meantime, motorists need to adjust how they drive.
That puddle could be a pothole
One of the biggest dangers after heavy rain is what drivers cannot see.
A shallow-looking puddle may conceal a pothole deep enough to damage a tyre, wheel or suspension. Swerving suddenly to avoid it can be equally dangerous, particularly when another vehicle is approaching.
The Road Safety Foundation has previously warned that motorists must also watch for oncoming drivers who may unexpectedly move across the centre line to avoid damaged road surfaces.
Reduce your speed on unfamiliar or visibly deteriorating roads. Look well ahead and leave sufficient space to respond gradually rather than making a sudden manoeuvre.
If you hit a pothole, stop somewhere safe and inspect your tyres. A bulge, cut or unusual vibration may indicate damage requiring professional attention.
When the robots stop working
A failed traffic light can quickly turn a busy intersection into a confusing and dangerous space.
South African road rules require motorists to treat an intersection with non-functioning traffic signals as a four-way stop.
Come to a complete stop, establish whose turn it is and proceed only when safe. Do not assume that another driver understands the rules or intends to stop.
Be particularly alert to pedestrians trying to cross and vehicles approaching from several directions. If traffic officers are directing vehicles, follow their instructions.
Know when to turn around
Heavy rain can overwhelm drainage systems, leaving roads and low-lying bridges submerged.Johannesburg's MMC for Public Safety, Moshe Koma, has warned motorists against crossing flooded roads and areas where water levels are rising.
His advice is clear: “Do not put your life at risk by attempting to cross flooded roads.”Never assume that your vehicle's height or four-wheel-drive capability makes a flooded crossing safe. Water can conceal damaged road surfaces, and flowing water can destabilise a vehicle.Find another route or wait until conditions improve.
Report the hazard
Avoiding a dangerous pothole or intersection protects you on that particular journey. Reporting it may help protect other road users.
Use your municipality's official fault-reporting channels to report damaged roads, blocked stormwater drains and malfunctioning traffic signals. Provide the street names, nearest intersection and a clear description of the problem.
Only photograph a hazard when you are safely parked or standing away from traffic. Keep the reference number so that you can follow up.
Municipalities have a responsibility to maintain safe roads, and the recent elections provide an opportunity to demand better accountability.Until repairs are made, however, every driver must recognise that a familiar road may no longer be a safe one.
