5 Flooded road safety tips for South African drivers

Flooding can develop quickly during severe rain, especially on low-lying roads, near rivers, at underpasses and across low-water bridges. The safest decision is not to test the water. If a road is covered, turn around, use another route and follow official warnings.

Heavy rain also reduces visibility and grip before a road floods. Planning ahead, leaving more space and knowing where not to stop can prevent a difficult journey from becoming an emergency.

Do not drive into water covering the road. Stop at a safe distance, turn around and choose another route. A driver cannot reliably judge the depth, current or condition of the road surface from inside a vehicle, and floodwater can conceal debris, potholes, open drains and washed-away sections.

South African Government flood guidance tells motorists not to cross flooded roads or bridges and not to drive over a low-water bridge when water is flowing strongly or the ground is not visible. Even a familiar route may be structurally unsafe after intense rain.

·        Moving water can push a vehicle sideways or off the road.

·        Water can enter the engine, electronics, transmission, brakes or cabin.

·        Hidden hazards can puncture tyres, damage suspension or trap the vehicle.

·        Water levels can rise behind the vehicle and remove the route back to safety.

Check the entire route, not only the weather at your starting point. Look for warnings, road closures and reports of overflowing rivers or low-water crossings. If you live in a low-lying or flood-prone area, know at least one route to higher ground and be ready to leave early when authorities advise evacuation.

Use South African Weather Service warnings together with verified municipal disaster-management updates and road-closure notices. Social media can provide early clues, but confirm urgent information through an official source before relying on it.

Never walk, swim or drive through fast-moving floodwater. Do not enter simply because another driver crossed or because the water appears shallow. Different vehicles have different clearances and traction, and the road may be deteriorating with every minute.

Stop far enough away to turn without reversing into traffic or water. Follow barriers and instructions from police, emergency personnel and road authorities. A delayed trip is safer than a rescue from a vehicle that has lost grip or stalled.

Floodwater is not the only hazard. Rain, spray and standing water reduce visibility and tyre grip, while potholes and lane markings become harder to see. Slow down smoothly, increase following distance, use dipped headlights and keep both hands on the wheel. Avoid sudden braking, sharp steering and cruise control when conditions are poor.

For a broader wet-weather checklist, read Miway's guidance on driving safely in heavy rain and the latest advice on flood, wind and poor-visibility risks.

If severe weather is forecast, delay the journey where possible. If rain becomes too heavy to continue, leave the traffic flow only when it is safe and legal, then stop in a stable, elevated location away from rivers, streams, stormwater channels, low-water crossings, underpasses, trees and power lines.

Do not treat an underground parking area as automatically safe during a flood warning; basements and underpasses can fill rapidly. Do not stop in a live lane or on a highway shoulder unless the vehicle cannot move and there is no safer option. If you are stranded on a highway, switch on hazard lights, call for help and follow the emergency operator's instructions.

Save 112 for emergencies from a cellphone, along with the numbers for your insurer, roadside-assistance provider and local disaster-management centre. Keep a charged phone, power bank, torch, water, basic first-aid supplies and reflective item in the vehicle. Share your route during severe weather and tell someone when you expect to arrive.

An emergency kit supports preparation, but it does not make floodwater safe to cross. The priority is always to avoid the flooded route and move away from rising water early.

Call 112 if there is immediate danger and give your location, travel direction, vehicle details, number of occupants and the direction in which the water is moving. Do not restart an engine that may have taken in water because this can worsen damage.

If the vehicle is stable and water is not rising, remain calm and follow emergency instructions. If rising water makes staying inside immediately life-threatening, undo seatbelts, open or break a side window if necessary and move towards the safest accessible higher point without entering a stronger current. Children and passengers who need help should be assisted first. Miway also provides detailed guidance on escaping from a car caught in a flash flood.

Cover depends on the selected product, cause of loss and applicable policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. Comprehensive Miway car insurance may respond to specified weather-related damage, but a claim is assessed on its own facts. Do not assume that every form of water damage is automatically covered.

Once everyone is safe, record the location, time, weather conditions, visible water level and vehicle damage. Keep photographs, videos, witness details, towing information and receipts. Follow the Miway claims process and contact the insurer before authorising a tow where circumstances allow.

The most important flooded-road skill is recognising when not to proceed. Water over a road removes information a driver normally relies on: lane position, surface condition, depth and grip. Turning around preserves options; entering the water can remove them within seconds.

Check official warnings, avoid low-lying routes, drive more slowly in heavy rain and stop only in a clearly safe place. No appointment or arrival time is worth crossing a flooded road.