Large parts of South Africa are forecasted to receive snowfall this week, including in areas where the weather phenomenon has never been an issue for motorists, such as Johannesburg.
The rarity of the white powder on the country’s roads means many drivers are unaware and ill-equipped to handle it safely, as in regions such as Europe where snow is a regular occurrence, snow tyres and proper training are must-haves in every motorist’s arsenal.
If your hometown is expected to see snowfall this week and you won’t be able to put plans on hold while staying safely inside, there are several driving tips you must keep in mind to ensure that you get where you need to go safely.
Be defensive
The CEO of MasterDrive advanced driver training academy, Eugene Herbert, said defensive driving is the best tool to have when traveling over snowy surfaces.
In line with this, Herbert provided the following best practices for driving on snow-covered streets:
- Drive slowly
- Do not use cruise control
- Avoid stopping halfway up a hill
- Increase following distance to 10 to 12 seconds.
- Gently test your brakes to judge how slippery the road is
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly to maintain traction and avoid skidding
- Switch to Snow mode if your car has that option, and don’t use Sport mode
- Accelerating up a hill can cause skidding. Gain speed before the hill and slow down at the top
- If you start spinning, 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
- Switch your headlights to dim and don’t use fog lights as it makes it difficult for oncoming drivers to see
Another important consideration is to be aware of “black ice” covering the roads.
Black ice is a result of sleet, rather than full snowfall, that creates a thin layer of transparent ice on the tarmac that is difficult to see and dangerous to cross.
Similar to snowy conditions, navigating black ice should be done slowly and carefully, and with no sudden movements on the steering wheel, accelerator, or brakes.
“Always be alert for black ice: it looks like glossy, slightly wet patches on the road,” said Herbert.
He also recommends that motorists top up their vehicle’s anti-freeze and check that the tyres are properly inflated as it could go a long way in keeping their car running smoothly and maintaining grip.
Headline image: snownews.co.za
Keyword: Winter is here – How to drive on snowy roads