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Every South African talks about our roads. No matter where you are, someone's got a pothole story. You’ve hit a pothole more times than you’d like to, and so has your neighbour. Potholes, cracks, and other road hazards can wreak havoc on your car. Every time you get behind the wheel of your car, your tyres face the risk of damage.
Being a responsible driver means prioritising your safety on the road. A crucial part of that safety is protecting your car's tyres.
The State of South African Roads
The condition of South African roads is nothing short of appalling. Our patchy roads are often littered with debris and potholes that can put any car (and their tyres) to the test.
It’s estimated that there are approximately 25 million potholes on South African roads. The only thing you can be certain of on South Africa’s roads is a pothole.
Poorly maintained roads are a serious concern for South African car owners. Not only because they cause significant damage to your tyres, but also because they can cause serious accidents.
No matter how careful and experienced you are as a driver, South African roads will put your driving to the test.
The Challenges South African Drivers Face
South African roads are treacherous on you and your car. From winding mountain passes to vast stretches of highway. South Africa's roads offer both breathtaking scenery and, at times, treacherous conditions. If you’re driving on South African roads, here are some of the challenges you'll encounter:
Congestion and Gridlock Traffic
If you’re driving through cities like Johannesburg or Cape Town, you can expect to navigate through gridlock traffic on a daily basis. The traffic can test the patience of even the most placid drivers. The stop-and-go driving that comes with city living causes increased wear and tear on your car. It also demands a heightened level of alertness.
Treacherous Mountain Passes
South Africa is home to some of the most breathtaking mountain passes. These meandering roads give you incredible views, but come with their own set of risks. Steep, winding curves and rapid descents can make mountain passes treacherous. Drivers must be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and maintain their vehicles for a safe journey.
Unpredictable Weather
South Africa’s unpredictable weather can make for difficult driving conditions. Weather can transition from sunny to stormy in a matter of minutes. Heavy rain, mist and fog can reduce visibility and affect road surfaces. You need to be ready to adapt your driving style to changing weather conditions.
Road Hazards
Potholes, loose gravel, and debris are common obstacles you’ll encounter on South African roads. Staying vigilant and adhering to speed limits is important to minimise damage to your vehicle.
Potholes: Potholes are a widespread issue on South African roads. Potholes are dents in the road that can range from minor annoyances to potentially vehicle-damaging craters. Hitting a large pothole at speed can lead to tyre damage, wheel misalignment, and, in some cases, costly suspension repairs.
Loose Gravel: Gravel roads are common in South Africa. This includes roads that are undergoing maintenance. These unpaved roads often feature loose gravel and uneven surfaces. Excessive driving on gravel roads can accelerate tyre wear, leading to reduced tyre lifespan. Reduced traction on gravel roads can also affect vehicle stability and control.
- Debris: Debris is another common hazard on South African roads. This includes anything from rocks, glass and fallen branches to litter. Driving over debris can cause you to get a punctured tyre or even lose control of your vehicle.
If you’re driving on South African roads, you’ll likely run into some of the challenges mentioned above. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings to ensure a safe journey.
What Happens to Your Wallet When You Hit a Pothole?
Unfortunately, South African roads come with an unexpected hazard that no driver can escape: Potholes. These road imperfections appear out of nowhere to cause extensive damage to your tyres, and your wallet.
Potholes are masked by the contours of the road, and are often filled with water after rainfall. These hidden craters appear out of nowhere causing damage to your tyres. Pothole-related tyre damage can have serious financial consequences. Far beyond a simple tyre replacement.
Tyre Replacement Costs
If you were to hit a large pothole, you could damage your tyre beyond the point of repair. If your tyre hits the sharp edge of a pothole at speed, this could cause a puncture or even tear your tyre. While the cost of a new tyre varies depending on the make and model, you can expect to pay anything from R1,000 up to R10,000 per tyre. This is an expense your wallet is not prepared for.
Wheel Damage
Potholes-related damage doesn’t stop with your tyres. By hitting a pothole, you could also damage your car’s wheel or rim. Wheel damage can lead to misalignment or structural damage. Repairing or replacing a damaged wheel would far exceed the cost of a tyre replacement. Your wallet doesn’t like wheel damage.
Wheel Balancing and Alignment
Your tyre and wheel may have survived an encounter with a pothole, but it doesn’t mean you’re safe. Hitting a pothole can also cause alignment issues, which will cause excessive wear and tear. You’ll need to correct any alignment issues to avoid further damage to your tyres.
Tyre Repair Costs
If the damage to your tyre is minor, it may be sufficient to repair the tyre instead of an outright replacement. While these cost-effective solutions may give your tyres new life, they’re not always a long-term solution. Your tyre repair may not last as long as you need it to.
Poor Road Conditions and Your Car’s Tyres
Regular driving on poorly maintained roads can lead to unexpected and expensive tyre repair bills. To truly understand the effect of South Africa's road conditions, it's important to look at some key factors:
Road Accidents: South Africa has a high rate of road accidents, and tyre-related issues often contribute to these incidents. The condition of your tyres can significantly affect your ability to control your car in emergency situations.
Safety Concerns: Damaged tyres can compromise your safety on the road. A damaged tyre will affect handling, braking, and overall vehicle stability.
Tyre Punctures and Damage: Sharp debris on the road can cause punctures. Potholes and rough terrain can lead to more severe tyre damage. You don’t want to face the unexpected cost of tyre repair bills.
Understanding the effects of our roads on your tyres is the first step in recognising the need for protective measures. You can't change the state of South Africa's roads, but you can take proactive steps to protect your tyres.
Avoid Pothole-Related Tyre Damage
Avoiding potholes is something that needs to be part of your skills as a South African driver. You need to find ways to steer clear budget-breaking potholes. All it takes is one pothole to get the better of you, deflating both your tyres and your budget. If one of your front tyres hits a pothole, it’s likely your back tyre will too. A single pothole could leave you stranded and with a double whammy on the repair bill.
A large portion of South Africa’s national road networks are outdated and in need of major repairs or upgrades. Our roads were not built to handle the amount of traffic that we experience nowadays. While the government works to fix potholes, you need to work towards dodging them.
Here are some tips to help you avoid pothole-related tyre damage:
Slow Down
Reduce your speed when driving on poorly maintained roads. By slowing down, you’ll have the advantage of being more aware of what’s coming your way. You will have more time to react and safely navigate around a surprise pothole.
If you hit a pothole at high speed, you increase the likelihood of causing severe damage to your car. If you’re driving at a slower speed, and you hit a pothole, your car will sustain less damage.
Keep Your Distance
Always keep a safe following distance between your car, and the one ahead of you. This gives you more time to react and avoid potholes. If you’re driving too close to the car in front of you, then you limit your ability to spot upcoming potholes. If you’ve kept sufficient distance and the driver in front of you hits the pothole, you’ll give yourself more time to react and avoid hitting the pothole.
Watch Out For Puddles
Potholes like to disguise themselves as puddles of water after rainfall. Be sure to pay attention and look out for puddles, as there could be a pothole hiding below.
Don’t Swerve
If you spot a pothole approaching, slow down and gradually manoeuvre around the pothole. Don’t swerve abruptly to avoid the pothole. Swerving can cause you to lose control of your car, and you could end up in an accident.
Don’t Brake
You should avoid braking when diving over a pothole. When you brake, pressure is placed downward onto the front of your car, causing the front wheels to dig into the pothole. It is best to slow down before the pothole and then coast over it.
Keep Your Hands on The Wheel
If you end up in a situation of an ‘unavoidable pothole,’ make sure to keep both hands on the wheel. You will be more able to maintain control of your car. If you only have one hand on the steering wheel, you are more likely to lose control of your car, and cause further damage.
Check Your Tyre Pressure
Ensure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Thus, you will have more resistance when hitting a pothole than an under-inflated tyre. Properly inflated tyres will give your car further protection against pothole damage.
Inspect Your Tyres
Make sure the tread on your tyres is of roadworthy condition. A worn tyre is far more likely to sustain extensive damage from hitting a pothole. A new set of tyres will have roughly 8 millimetres of tread on the surface. The lowest tread depth allowed by law in South Africa is 1.6 millimetres.
While these tips help you reduce the effects of pothole damage, all it takes is one pothole to get the better of you. This could deflate your tyres and your budget. Tyre damage is not merely a nuisance. It's a financial burden waiting to strike.
While the government works to fix the roads, you need to work towards dodging those budget-breaking potholes. That's where Tyre Insurance from Bidvest Insurance comes to your rescue. Tyre Insurance is your financial safety net, giving you cover for unexpected tyre repair bills.
Don't let a single pothole drain your budget and jeopardise your safety. It's time to shield your wheels, secure your savings, and drive with confidence.
This post and content is sponsored, written and produced by Bidvest Insurance.
