Poor driving conditions caused by heavy rains on Friday morning have led to a high number of traffic accidents.
SVTA/Lifemed spokesperson Dean Slater told Rekord: “It is now 09:00, shift change was at 06:00 and we have already attended to eight car accidents.”
Shortly after Rekord spoke to Slater, SVTA/Lifemed responded to an incident in which a taxi lost control and veered off the road due to the weather conditions, hitting a pedestrian walking on the pavement.
According to the driver, the pedestrian was on his way to work when his breaks failed on Solomon Mahlangu Drive near Silver Lakes around 09:00.
The 34-year-old pedestrian was killed.
The incident will be investigated by the SAPS, said Slater.
The chaos on the roads started in the early morning, as heavy rains affected driving conditions in Pretoria.
Around 06:00, Emer-G-Med paramedics responded to a motor vehicle collision scene on the N1 near Lynnwood Bridge.
Emer-G-Med spokesperson Kyle Van Reenen said when his paramedic team arrived two vehicles had collided and one overturned.
“A man in his seventies sustained serious injuries, whilst a second man, in his forties, had moderate injuries.
“Both were treated and stabilised on the scene before being transported to nearby hospitals for further care.”
An Eldoraigne accident on the R55 road, near the Claudius intersection, claimed the life of a local woman.
An eyewitness said the woman’s motor vehicle was hit by the truck from behind and lost control.
The woman was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later declared dead.
Slater gave the following advice for driving in wet weather conditions:
– Double your following distance.
– Drive slower.
– Put your headlights, and if need be hazards, on to be more visible to other motorists.
– Be aware of puddles and especially those concealing potholes.
– Do not brake too harshly, use your gears to slow down to avoid aquaplaning/hydroplaning.
– Avoid unnecessary trips or trips that can be put off until later/tomorrow.
– Be aware of running pedestrians trying to get to cover.
– Do not park under trees because of falling branches and trees.
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