Winter is here and this could mean the dreaded load-shedding!
Eskom CEO, Phakamani Hadebe, recently warned that: “With colder weather expected across the country, and the demand of electricity projected to increase, the power system is forecast to be tight in the coming winter months.” Unfortunately, this translates to more load-shedding for South Africans.
Load-shedding affects everyone, and the resulting traffic gridlock not only causes major chaos on the roads but makes it incredibly difficult to get to and from anywhere safely. In fact, did you know that motorists are already losing over 119 hours a year due to traffic congestion, with Johannesburg and Cape Town ranked the most congested cities in the country?
Unfortunately, there is not much that motorists can do to avoid these dreaded power failures. However, there are ways that you can actively manage your stress and your safety during these times by helping to prevent collisions:
- Where possible, plan your routes and leave earlier for work or leave the office later to avoid the peak traffic period
- If traffic lights are off, remember that the crossing becomes a four-way stop; This means that you must follow the Rules of the Road for a four-way stop; It is still important to stop and check if it is safe to proceed
- Leave a good following distance from the car in front of you so that you have room to drive off in case of any danger
- Make sure your valuables are hidden away (preferably in your boot) and that you remain alert
- Make sure you know where your Matrix panic button remote is – and that it works
- Create geo-fences using the Matrix Internet Online Tracking application around dangerous areas that you wish to avoid
- If street lights are off, make sure you slow down as this will increase the time you have to evade any possible dangers such as potholes, debris and pedestrians on the road surface
Load-shedding affects everyone which is why we need to be patient on the roads. Remember that everyone is facing the same frustration and ensure that you actively manage your safety out on the roads. #DriveSafe
