Weather and road conditions

South African weather can turn in minutes. A sunny afternoon on the Highveld becomes a thunderstorm with hail, a mountain pass disappears into mist, and a dark rural road suddenly has cattle standing in the middle of it. Many crashes happen because drivers keep going as if nothing has changed.

The law helps here. Regulation 157 says your headlamps must be on from sunset to sunrise, and also at any other time when you cannot clearly see people and vehicles 150 metres ahead, such as in rain or mist. Dip your bright lights when a car comes towards you or when you are following someone, so you don't blind them.

In heavy rain or fog, slow down, double your following distance and use fog lamps only when visibility is really poor. Never try to cross a flooded low-water bridge or a road with water flowing over it. You cannot see how deep it is or whether the road underneath is still there, and fast-moving water can push a car off the road. At roadworks, follow the flag person and the temporary signs and give the workers room. On rural roads at night, keep an eye on the verges for animals. If one steps out, brake firmly and keep the wheel straight instead of swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road.

You can check live traffic and road conditions on Padvark's traffic pages before you leave. For more on driving in bad conditions, these guides are worth a read.