Tips for Driving in Extreme Weather Conditions

Driving in extreme weather conditions is difficult, so it’s important to know what to do regarding safety and what your insurance covers if you incur any damage to your car.

PARTNERED CONTENT

Budget Insurance wants to ensure that its clients have the best cover for car insurance. Most importantly, the firm wants its clients to be safe when driving, especially if the weather is unpredictable. This article will tell you more about how to drive in several different types of weather conditions…

How the extreme weather impacts our driving and safety

South African drivers enjoy driving in sunny weather most of the year. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll always drive in good weather conditions. Sometimes, you will encounter bad- or extreme weather conditions, which require you to adjust your driving.

Various types of bad weather affect our ability to drive, including some of the following:

Hail: Not only can hail damage your vehicle, but it can also reduce visibility. It creates a slick layer on the road, so your car could skid out of control.
Rain: Heavy rains can affect visibility, creating uneven road surfaces. This is because rainwater builds up on the road, creating a layer of water between the tyre and the road. This can result in your vehicle aquaplaning when braking.
Flooding: This often happens in low-lying areas that receive a lot of rain. We’ve seen catastrophic flooding that occurred in some parts of KwaZulu Natal in 2022 that affected many motorists. Moving water can drag a car off the road, so you must take precautions. Avoid driving when there is flooding, but if you must drive somewhere, reduce speed and don’t attempt to cross flooded roads.
Fog and mist: These weather conditions decrease road and driving visibility.
Strong winds: Winds can be dangerous when blowing in different directions relative to your car’s motion. You’ll need to adjust your driving speed. Side winds can be even more dangerous as they move the vehicle across the road or, in the case of large vehicles, they can blow them right over!
Smoke from veld fires: Reduces road visibility.

How to drive in bad weather conditions, such as…

1. In heavy winds

Driving a car on a straight path in heavy winds can be challenging. You may have had a taste of this sort of challenge when overtaking a cargo truck. Here are some ways to navigate driving in heavy winds:

Slow down: Heavy winds affect a car’s stability, shifting it out of its lane. Slowing down helps you maintain control of the vehicle and keeps it on the road and in the right lane.
Keep both hands on the steering wheel to gain better control. Controlling a car is easier if you keep both hands on the ‘wheel.
Increase the following distance: Heavy winds can push your car to move faster than anticipated and increase the risk of a collision. To avoid this, increase the following distance to 5 or 6 seconds.
Be alert: Heavy winds can blow objects onto the road. Always pay extra attention to the road and surroundings when driving in heavy winds in case you need to take sudden corrective action.
Prepare for your road trip. This involves checking the weather reports before starting your journey. Installing a weather app on your phone is a good way to keep yourself updated throughout your trip.

2. In the rain

South Africa’s roads are known for having a multitude of potholes, which are even more dangerous when they are filled with rainwater. While driving in rainy conditions, you need to take these precautions:

Increase your following distance. This will give you ample time to react if the car in front of you suddenly decelerates.
Slow down. When it’s raining, road visibility and tyre traction on the road are often compromised. Slowing down the car can help prevent accidents due to the increased reaction time needed to stop the vehicle. It will also mean that your traction on the road will improve.
Switch on your car’s headlights and fog lights. This increases your visibility to other road users and helps avoid collisions. Also, switch on your car’s aircon to stop the windscreen from fogging up.
Avoid sudden braking. On a wet road, water can get wedged between your car’s tyres and the road surface, which causes aquaplaning. This makes your car’s steering less responsive and can cause skidding when you suddenly slam on the brakes. If your car has ABS, apply the brake pedal steadily.

3. In a hailstorm

The safest way to avoid problems associated with driving in a hailstorm is not to drive in it in the first place. It’s always wise to plan ahead; weather reports and apps will warn you about the possibility of hail. If you are aware of an imminent hailstorm, it’s advisable to park your car somewhere safe and wait it out.

However, you may be forced to drive in a sudden hailstorm. The best you can do is take precautions:

Pull over at a safe spot. If you are able, pull over and wait until the hailstorm clears. You should also avoid parking under a bridge in case of rising water levels.
Face the oncoming hailstorm. If you stop the car, face the windscreen into the hailstorm. The windscreen and headlights are stronger than the side windows and tail-light housings.
Stay inside your vehicle. Get off the road safely and keep your headlights on. Stay in the car while protecting yourself, especially your eyes, from shattering glass.

4. When there is flooding

It’s far safer to avoid driving in floods by not taking the car journey in the first place. However, if it’s unavoidable to drive in extreme weather conditions, you need to take the following safety measures:

Avoid driving into moving water. It is said that it only takes 600 mm of moving water to sweep a car off the road. If your car is swept off the road, exit the vehicle as quickly as possible.
Look for alternative roads. Take note of public service notifications and use safer driving routes, as advised by the traffic authorities.
Avoid driving in deep water. There’s a possibility that your car’s engine may stall in the water. This could damage the engine.

Car insurance & damage from extreme weather: What’s covered?

Extreme weather, such as floods or hail, can cause damage to your vehicle. If this were to happen to your car, would your insurance cover the damage? Does car insurance cover hail damage?

Well, that depends on your car insurance coverage and the insured events that are included in your policy. Third-party, fire and theft insurance does not cover extreme weather damage. For wide-ranging protection against the risks of inclement weather, Budget Insurance offers comprehensive car insurance.

However, it will not include damage to personal possessions in your car. If you transport valuable items such as a phone, laptop and valuable jewellery in your car, consider portable possessions insurance.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.