The Department of Police, Roads and Transport has issued a warning to all drivers to be extremely careful when traveling on Free State roads over the next few days.
Due to extreme cold weather/frost and snow forecasted as well as winds reaching speeds of up to 100km/hour resulting in a thick dust clouds and reduced visibility over the province, the roads are treacherous and dangerous to negotiate.
Motorists should switch on their main headlights, reduce speed and be cautious. When vehicles are moving fast in severe wind conditions, the vehicle may be blown sideways forcing the driver to lose control of it. This is even more likely to happen when the tyres are worn.
Under these conditions an untrained driver may panic or may take shelter at the side of the road or slack off to a pedestrian pace – all these making the vehicle and its driver/passengers vulnerable to be run over by bigger and faster vehicles.
Avoid driving at night as the extreme cold may lead to hypothermia if an emergency occurs and the driver/passengers are left stranded next to the road.
Motorist should listen to local radio stations for updates of road and weather conditions and traffic problems.
Enquiries:
Hillary Mophethe
Cell 079 521 7113
