With winter on us, the dry spell that accompanies it means an increase in veld fires.
While the fires are a danger on their own, they promulgate a host of challenges for a driver when they occur in the vicinity of a national freeway or major road.
“Veld fires and the way they affect driver behavior is something we encounter every year and now as we move into the middle of winter, they are becoming all the more prominent,” Rescuecare Director Garrith Jamieson said.
Jamieson said that how to best handle these adverse driving conditions is governed by common sense.
“Obviously with a large amount of smoke there will be reduced visibility and often an increase in traffic calming because of this. Drivers should immediately reduce their speed and exercise caution in that specific situation.”
“If visibility is completely reduced to zero, pull your car to a stop in an area that his safe and place your hazard lights on. There should also be a situational awareness for EMS vehicles which may be responding to the fire and these should be given the right of way,” he said.
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