/ 16 March 2008

Wet weather ahead: Jo’burg drivers told to slow down

Heavy rains, cold weather and strong winds will continue in Gauteng for the rest of the week, the South African Weather Services (SAWS) said on Sunday.

This was due to a cold front passing through the area, said SAWS forecaster Evert Sholtz.

He said for the rest of Sunday, rain and heavy winds would continue and Monday would see strong winds blowing throughout Gauteng, along with heavy downpours.

”Temperatures should warm up by Tuesday but heavy isolated showers and overcast weather will continue until the weekend.”

Sholtz said another cold front was expected to enter the region next week.

He explained that tropical air from Zambia, via Botswana, along with cooler air in this region, were interacting and causing heavy downfalls.

Caution

Johannesburg Metro Police asked motorists not to speed and to exercise caution on the roads during the wet weather.

”The roads are extremely wet and cars are skidding very easily due to the water build-up,” said Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.

He said three car drivers had lost control in separate accidents on the M1 near the Grayston Road off-ramp on Sunday morning due to water build-up.

”All three cars lost control and flipped. One driver in a Mitsubishi, was taken to hospital with serious injuries,” said Minaar.

Ekhuruleni Metro Police spokesperson Inspector Jimmy Maboko said 13 out of 15 accidents that occurred at the weekend, took place on Sunday morning.

”Motorists are not driving safely. They don’t realise that when you brake on a wet road, your car does not stop,” Maboko said. – Sapa