Road users urged to be cautious
According to JRA officials, most lives are lost during rains than in any other weather-related event.
Last week saw havoc on the roads and road users are once again urged to be cautious.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is urging road users to exercise caution and adopt a more defensive approach to driving in the rain.
The JRA is responsible for the maintenance, repair and development of the road network, storm water infrastructure, bridges, culverts, traffic lights and signage.
According to JRA officials, most lives are lost during rains than in any other weather-related event. This includes flash floods, slippery roads and faulty traffic lights.
When practicing safety on rainy days the, following signs should be watched for:
- Unusually hard rain over several hours.
- Steady, substantial rain over several days.
- Rains in conjunction with a spring thaw.
- Water rising rapidly in streams and rivers.
Motorists should not try to drive through flooded areas, even if it looks shallow enough to cross. Do not drive or let anyone drive through flood water. If the vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Do not drive into water covering the road. You do not know how deep it is, or if the road is washed away.
Motorists are also advised to drive cautiously and avoid speeding. Roads are slippery during rains because of the oil from leaking cars and spillages.
Many traffic lights are also knocked down by speeding and reckless drivers during rainy weather.
Pedestrians may be washed away when crossing through water or low-lying bridges. Residents should keep storm water drains clean to allow free water flow. People should refrain from dumping items inside storm water drains.
To ensure that traffic lights remain operational despite adverse conditions, the agency is embarking on numerous initiatives such as converting traffic lights located on busy main roads to solar and uninterrupted power supply. It is also replacing cables systematically on a continuous cycle and also decentralising technicians, who are now based and operating from the seven regions, closer to customers.
Report all incidents to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, SAPS or the city’s call centre on 0860 562874.
