How to Prepare Your Vehicle and Yourself for Driving in Bad Weather
Summer in South Africa isn’t always sunny. This is the season where we experience our most rainfall. The weather swings, and you could find yourself travelling in sudden downpours or through misty mountain passes.
Fear not. Safe driving in bad weather starts with a few smart checks and good planning. Speaking of planning, make sure you read part one of this series: preparing your car for holiday trip.
Here’s how to prep your car and your mindset so you stay calm, confident, and ready.
Vehicle Checks for Wet Conditions
A few minutes on vehicle maintenance before a long trip makes a big difference in the rain.
Tyre Tread Depth: Ensure your tyre tread depth is at least 3 mm. It improves grip on wet roads and reduces the risk of aquaplaning. Worn tyres are especially dangerous during storms.
Wipers: Test both front and back windscreen wipers. If they squeak, skip, or leave streaks, replace them. Clear visibility is one of the most important holiday driving safety tips.
Lights: Test indicators, brake lights, headlights, and hazard lights. They help you see and be seen.
Brakes: If your vehicle pulls to one side, takes longer to stop, or the pedal feels soft, have the brakes checked before your trip. Safe stopping distance doubles in the rain.
Personal Preparation for Bad Weather
Driving safely in wet or windy conditions is not only about the vehicle. Your mindset and planning matter too.
Check the Forecast: Look at weather forecasts for your route and destination. If you know storms are expected between Harrismith and Mooi River, for example, plan your timing accordingly.
Share Your Plans: Give someone your travel schedule, expected route, and expected arrival. If something goes wrong, they know when to check in.
Pull Over if Necessary: If visibility becomes poor or heavy rain makes driving unsafe, pull over at a safe spot and wait. A few minutes of patience is often the best strategy.
Bad weather does not need to disrupt your holiday.
Added Safety with Beame
Beame is with you on the long road and ready to help with more than vehicle recovery!
Beame Assist provides added layers of protection for personal safety, such as:
- Pothole Assist. Unfortunately, potholes are reality and they are terribly difficult to spot on wet roads. The Pothole Assist service alleviates the financial burden of damage to tyres and rims with assistance in recovering up to 100% of incurred costs.
- Glass Care provides quick, efficient and professional assistance in windscreen repair annually at your nearest PG Glass.*
While the above value-added services help you after the event, MyPanic is there when it happens. If you’re stuck in a hailstorm, burst a tire, or travelling in an area where you feel unsafe, activate MyPanic for Emergency Medical or Armed Responders to your exact location.
Before you embark, be sure your Beame is at 100% health. Send ‘Hi’ to 087 240 6262 on WhatsApp or open your app to check:
- Battery status
- Test your device
- Ensure your details (car registration and personal particulars) are up to date.
If you liked this, don’t miss Summer Safety with Beame or Understanding Driver Fatigue.
*90 day waiting period applies from sign up. Once the claim is approved, glass replacement will be carried out at any PG Glass Fitment Centre.
