Ukuqhuba kwinkungu, imvula eqhaqhazelis' amazinyo kunye nokugqabhuka kwamhlophe: ixesha lokutsala¶

Imozulu ethile ithatha eyona nto ifunwa ngumqhubi kakhulu: ukukwazi ukubona kude ngokwaneleyo ukuba amise. Inkungu eshinyeneyo ifihla indlela kumgama weemoto ezimbalwa, imvula eqhaqhazelisa amazinyo kuwo wonke umhlaba omkhenkce, kwaye ukukhanya okumhlophe kwenza indlela, isibhakabhaka kunye nomsele zifane. Kuzo zontathu, esona sigqibo sikhuselekileyo sihlala sicotha kanye, ufumane indawo ekhuselekileyo yokumisa, kwaye ulinde, nokuba oko kuthetha ukufika emva kwexesha.

Esi sikhokelo sichaza indlela yokusingatha imeko nganye, indlela yokugqiba ngexesha lokumisa, into omawuyenze ngezibane eziyingozi, indlela yokushiya indlela ngaphandle kokwenza imfumba, kwanokuba kutheni ukulandela izibane zemoto engaphambili kungumgibe. Yongeza kwisikhokelo esikhoyo kwi iimeko ezimhlophe kunye nokuqhuba kweqhwa ngokugquma inkungu kunye nemvula ebanda kakhulu, kwaye ngokugxila kwindawo yokumisa kwaye ushiye isigqibo sendlela.

Yenza oku ngoku¶

1. Yehlisa isantya kwangoko, kwaye ukhanyise izibane zakho zentloko eziditshiweyo. Musa ukusebenzisa imiqadi ephezulu kwinkungu okanye ikhephu, kuba ukukhanya kubuyela umva kwaye kunciphisa oko unokukubona.
2. Yandisa umgama wakho olandelayo ngaphaya kwesiqhelo, ubuncinci imizuzwana esibhozo ukuya kwelishumi kwimvula eqhaqhazelisa amazinyo okanye kwikhephu, nangakumbi kwinkungu eshinyeneyo. Thatha unyawo lwakho kwi-accelerator xa ukubonakala kusihla kwaye uvumele imoto icothe.
3. Vula ifestile yakho ibe yintanda kwaye wehlise unomathotholo, ukuze uve ukugcwala kwabantu. Coca i-windscreen (windshield) ngaphakathi nangaphandle, kwaye usebenzise i-defroster.
4. Ukuba akukwazi ukubona kude ngokwaneleyo ukuba ungama kumgama owubonayo, okanye indlela inomkhenkce, qalisa ukukhangela indawo ekhuselekileyo yokumisa. Sebenzisa indawo yokuphumla, ipaki yemoto (indawo yokupaka), indawo yokuhlangana, okanye igxalaba elikhanyiswe kakuhle.
5. Yima ngokupheleleyo ngaphandle kwendlela, kude kakhulu kwiindlela zendlela. Zicime izibane kwaye uvule isiqhoboshi sokupaka ukuba usegxalabeni, ukuze abanye abaqhubi bangazilandeli izibane zakho zomsila. Gcina ibhanti lakho lesihlalo kwaye unyawo lwakho lususe kwi-pedal ye-brake.
6. Tsalela uncedo ukuba usengozini, kunye nenombolo yakho yexesha likaxakeka (911 eUnited States naseKhanada, 112 kwi-European Union, 999 eUnited Kingdom), kwaye ulinde iimeko ziphucule. 'Yabona amanani kaxakeka.

Iimeko ezintathu, iingxaki ezintathu¶

Inkungu¶

Inkungu lilifu elikumgangatho ophantsi, elenziwe ngamathontsi amancinane amanzi. Iba kubusuku obuzolileyo, obucacileyo, obufumileyo xa umoya uphola ufikelele kwindawo yombethe, kufuphi nemilambo, amachibi, iintlambo nomhlaba ophantsi. Ihlala iphakamisa emva kokuphuma kwelanga, kodwa inokuhlala imini yonke. Inkungu engumkhenkce ibeka iikristale zomkhenkce kumphezulu kwaye yenza indlela imtyibilizi kwaye ibe yimfama.

Umqhubi osenkungu udla ngokubaleka engakhange aqaphele. Ngaphandle kweempawu zomhlaba ezicacileyo, ingqondo ayikwazi ukugweba isantya, kwaye izibane zemoto engaphambili zibonakala zisondela ngokucotha. Ixesha lokuphendula kunye nomgama wokumisa awutshintshi, kodwa umbono wakho uyatshintsha. Isiphumo kukuba yimfumba eyenza iindaba ngexesha lenkungu.

Imvula eqhaqhazelis' amazinyo¶

Imvula engumkhenkce inetha njengolwelo ize ibe ngumkhenkce xa ifika kwindawo engaphantsi kwe-0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). Igquma iindlela, iibhulorho, imithi, iintambo zombane, kunye nemoto yakho ngomkhenkce ogudileyo. INkonzo yeMozulu yeSizwe eUnited States kunye neMet Office yaseUnited Kingdom zombini ziyiphatha njengenye yezona meko ziyingozi ukuqhuba. Iindlela zisenokubonakala zimanzi kwaye azinomkhenkce, yiyo loo nto ibamba abaqhubi.

Iibhulorho, iindawo ezidlula ngaphezulu, namacandelo anomthunzi kuqala kuba ngumkhenkce kuba umoya obandayo ufikelela kuzo ukusuka phezulu nangaphantsi. Iyure yokuqala yesiganeko semvula eqhaqhazelis’ amazinyo idla ngokuba yeyona iyingozi kakhulu, kuba iimoto zisesendleleni. 'Yabona ukutyibilika emkhenkceni okanye emkhenkceni omnyama ukuba wenze ntoni ukuba imoto iyatyibilika.

Whiteout¶

Ukukhanya okumhlophe kwenzeka xa ikhephu eliwayo okanye elivuthuzayo kunciphisa ukubonakala phantse kube kwanto, kwaye i-horizon kunye nendlela ibumnyama ibe yinto engenanto emhlophe. Isitshingitshane seqhwa emhlabeni siphakamisa ikhephu phezu komoya onamandla, nangaphandle kwekhephu elitsha, kwaye sinokwenza usuku olucacileyo lube yingozi kwilizwe elivulekileyo. Ikhephu liyakhukuliseka kwiindlela, iincam ezifihlakele kunye neempawu zendlela. 'Yabona ikhephu eliqhwithelayo, ukugqabhuka kwekhephu elimhlophe kunye neentambo zokuvala iintambo kwaye iimeko ezimhlophe kunye nokuqhuba kweqhwa.

Gqiba phambi kokuba uqhube¶

Eyona mpendulo idla ngokungahambi. Phambi kohambo ngalunye lwasebusika, jonga uqikelelo lwengqikelelo kunye neengxelo zendlela ezivela kwinkonzo yemozulu yelizwe kunye nogunyaziwe wohola wendlela, kwaye uqaphele izilumkiso zenkungu, imvula eqhaqhazelis’ amazinyo, okanye izaqhwithi.

• If authorities advise no travel, stay home. Emergency crews need clear roads.
• If you must travel, leave early or late to avoid the worst hours. Fog is thickest around dawn, and freezing rain is worst at the start.
• Fill the tank, charge your phone, and pack a winter kit. See ikhithi yemoto yasebusika kunye netshekhi yemoto yangaphambi kobusika.
• Tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive.
• Choose main roads that are treated and monitored, and avoid back roads and open country when whiteouts are likely.
• Allow far more time than usual, and accept that you may need to stop.

Driving in fog¶

Lights¶

Use dipped (low beam) headlights. In many countries, daytime running lights are not enough in fog, because they may not light the rear of the car. Turn on your headlights so your tail lights glow. High beams reflect off the water droplets into your eyes and make visibility worse.

Fog lights help in certain conditions, with rules. The UK Highway Code (rules 226 and 236) advises using headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, and says you may use front or rear fog lights when you cannot see for more than 100 meters (328 feet), and must switch them off when visibility improves, since they dazzle other drivers and can mask brake lights. In other countries, rules differ, and some require fog lights only in specific situations. Check local law and the car manual.

Speed and distance¶

• Slow down more than you think you need to. A useful guide is to keep a speed at which you could stop within the distance you can see.
• Do not follow tail lights closely, and do not speed up because the driver ahead seems to know the road.
• Keep a following gap of at least four seconds in fog, and more if the road is wet or icy. Count the seconds from the moment the car ahead passes a roadside marker.
• Do not overtake in fog. You cannot see oncoming vehicles.
• Use the road edge markings on your right (or left, depending on the country) as a guide, but do not drive on the line. In fog, a rumble strip can warn you when you drift.
• Be ready for sudden stops in front of you, and for drivers who have stopped on the road with no lights.

Ventilation and visibility¶

Switch on the defroster, and if your car has air conditioning, turn it on to dry the air. Keep the windows clean, because fog and dirt can smear. Open the window slightly to hear horns and engines.

Wipe the inside of the glass, and use the wipers in drizzle. Do not use the high beam or fog light if it hurts visibility.

Driving in freezing rain¶

Freezing rain turns a drive into a skating risk. If it starts while you are driving, your priority is to get off the road as soon as it is safe.

• Reduce speed smoothly and early. Avoid braking hard, steering sharply, or accelerating suddenly.
• Khangela eyona ndawo ikufuphi ekhuselekileyo yokumisa. Yiya kuyo ngokuthe chu, nezalathi zivuliwe.
• Hlala ucocekile kwiibhulorho, iindawo ezidlulayo, kunye neerampu ukuba unako, kuba ziqala ngomkhenkce.
• Gcina isithuba esikhulu, ubuncinane imizuzwana elishumi ukuba unako, kwaye uhlale kude kwiilori kunye neebhasi.
• Jonga ukwakhiwa komkhenkce kwiscreen sakho somoya, iiwiper, kunye nezipili. Ukuba ii-wipers zakho ziphosa phezulu, khupha xa unokwenza ngokukhuselekileyo, kwaye uzicime. 'Yabona i-windshield enomkhenkce, izitshixo ezikhenkcezisiweyo kunye nee wipers.
• Ukuba ubona imithi okanye iintambo zombane zisihla, suka kude. Umgca olele endleleni ungaphila. 'Yabona ukothuka kombane ukuba wenze ntoni malunga neengcingo eziphilayo.
• Ukuba imoto engaphambili iyatyibilika, musa ukubhuleka nzima. Suka unyawo lwakho kwi-accelerator.

Yintoni encedayo kwaye yintoni engancediyo¶

Imvula engumkhenkce yenza ukuba ityuwa nentlaka ingasebenzi kakuhle, ngoko ke iindlela ezicoliweyo zisenokuba zimtyibilizi. Ukuqhuba kwamavili amane akukuncedi ukuba ume. Amatayara asebusika ayanceda, kodwa akakwazi ukoyisa icwecwe lomkhenkce.

Olona khuseleko lungcono kukuba ube kwenye indawo. Ukuba uhambo lwakho alungxamisekanga, yima kwaye ulinde, kwaye usebenzise ixesha lokufudumala, ukuphumla, kunye nokucwangcisa.

Ukuqhuba kwindawo emhlophe¶

Kwi-whiteout, isantya lutshaba lwakho kwaye ukuma kuhlala kulukhetho olulungileyo. Nika ingqalelo kule migaqo ingezantsi.

• Yehlisa isantya kwaye ukhanyise izibane zakho ezisezantsi. Imiqadi ephakamileyo ibonakalisa umva kwikhephu.
• Musa ukuma kwindlela yendlela, ngaphandle kokuba awukwazi ukuyiphepha. Ukuhamba kwetrafikhi kunokukubetha.
• Ukuba kufuneka ucothise ekunene, yenze ngobunono kwaye ubeke izibane zakho ezinobungozi kuphela ukuba umthetho wendawo uyakuvumela ngelixa uhamba (jonga ngezantsi).
• Landela umgca wendlela okanye umgca ophakathi njengesikhokelo, kodwa ulungele ukuyeka. Musa ukuthembela kwizibane zomsila ezingaphambili.
• Yehlisa ifestile yakho kwaye umamele itrafikhi.
• Ukuba akuboni, hlehla kwindawo yokuqala ekhuselekileyo, njengendawo yokuphumla, indlela yokungena, okanye igxalaba elibanzi. Shenxela kude endleleni kangangoko unako.
• Lindela umbane omhlophe ukuba ugqithe, kwaye ugcine umbhobho womsila ucacile ukuba uqhuba injini. 'Yabona betheleke emotweni kwisaqhwithi sasebusika.

Utsalwa nini¶

Ukuyeka sisigqibo, hayi ukusilela. Tsala xa nayiphi na kwezi iyinyani:

• Akunakubona kude ngokwaneleyo ukuba ume kumgama owubonayo.
• Imoto engaphambili iyanyamalala ekuboneni, okanye unokubona ubude beemoto ezimbalwa.
• Uyoyika, okanye udiniwe, okanye izandla zakho namehlo akho atyhafile.
• Umphezulu wendlela uyakhazimla kwaye iimoto ziyatyibilika okanye ziyantlitheka.
• I-windscreen yakho ikhenkceza ngokukhawuleza kunokuba ii-wipers kunye ne-defroster inokuyicoca.
• Iinkonzo ezingxamisekileyo okanye iimpawu zicebisa abaqhubi ukuba bamise.
• Ingozi engaphambili ivale indlela, yaye ngequbuliso abaqhubi baqhokra iziqhoboshi.
• Uyiva imoto ityibilika ngalo lonke ixesha ubhuleka okanye uqhuba.

Where to stop¶

Stopping on the shoulder safely¶

A well known safety routine used by transport and traffic safety agencies in several US states is summarized by the letters PASS, or the idea of pulling well off the road, switching off all lights, setting the parking brake, and staying belted with your foot off the brake. The goal is to avoid the "tail light trap", where another driver in the fog follows your lights, thinks they are on the road, and drives into you.

1. Signal and slow, and pull as far off the roadway as possible, onto firm ground, away from traffic.
2. Turn off all lights, including headlights, tail lights, and hazard lights, once you have stopped. Some sources suggest keeping hazard lights on only if you are visible and in a safe, fixed place well off the road. Local guidance differs, so follow your area's advice.
3. Set the parking brake and keep your foot off the brake pedal, so brake lights do not shine.
4. Keep your seat belt fastened, and stay in the car if the shoulder is close to traffic.
5. Do not stand beside the car on the roadway, because vehicles in fog may not see you.
6. Ukuba kufuneka uphume, yishiye ecaleni kwendlela, uhambe emva komqobo.
7. Call for help and wait for conditions to improve.

Hazard light rules¶

Hazard lights are a signal that you are a danger and not moving, or moving very slowly. Rules about using them while driving differ widely:

• In many US states, it is illegal or discouraged to drive with hazard lights on in rain, fog, or snow, since it hides turn signals and confuses drivers, and some state laws do allow them for slow traffic.
• In the United Kingdom, The Highway Code (rule 116) says you may use hazard warning lights while moving only on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn traffic behind of a hazard or obstruction ahead, and only for long enough to make sure your warning has been seen.
• In Germany and several other European countries, hazard lights are used to warn of a traffic jam on fast roads, and drivers may be required to use them to warn when stopped.
• In many places, hazard lights are only for a stopped car or a car that is in a breakdown.

The safe approach is to use hazard lights when you are stopped, and when you are near stopped or very slow traffic, as a short warning to the cars behind. Do not drive for long distances with them on. Check the law where you live or travel.

flowchart TD
    A["Visibility drops or road glazes"] --> B["Slow down and use low beam headlights"]
    B --> C{"Can you stop within the distance you can see?"}
    C -->|"Yes"| D["Keep slow speed and a large gap"]
    C -->|"No"| E["Look for the nearest safe place to stop"]
    D --> F{"Conditions worsening?"}
    F -->|"Yes"| E
    F -->|"No"| G["Continue with great care"]
    E --> H{"Rest area or car park nearby?"}
    H -->|"Yes"| I["Park away from traffic and wait"]
    H -->|"No"| J["Pull far onto firm shoulder"]
    J --> K["Lights off, parking brake on, foot off brake, belt on"]
    K --> L["Call for help if needed and wait for conditions to improve"]

How to leave the road safely¶

Leaving the road in poor visibility needs more care than normal. Many crashes happen when a driver stops suddenly or turns off without warning.

1. Decide early. Look for exits, junctions, lay bys, and driveways before you are desperate.
2. Slow gradually using the accelerator and engine braking. Avoid heavy braking, which can cause a skid or a rear end collision.
3. Signal your intention early, and signal again before you turn, so followers know.
4. Steer smoothly and drive onto the shoulder, parking area, or exit at low speed.
5. Check for stopped vehicles ahead, since other drivers may have had the same idea.
6. Yima kucace gca endleleni kunye nayo nayiphi na enye imoto. Shiya isithuba sokuhamba.
7. If you are in the wrong place, such as on the shoulder of a fast road, move to a safer location when conditions allow, and when you can see.

Exiting a highway or motorway¶

In low visibility, take the next exit if you can, rather than stop on the shoulder. Exit ramps and the areas beyond them are usually wider, off the main flow, and safer. Slow down more than normal on the ramp, since ice often forms there. Stop at the junction at the top, or at a service area, and wait.

Convoys and following other cars¶

It is tempting to follow the tail lights of the car ahead. In fog and whiteout, it feels like a rope through the white. It is dangerous for three reasons:

• You will drive too close, with too little time to react if the car ahead stops or hits something.
• You cannot see what the leader sees. If the lead car is lost, off the road, or about to stop, you go with it.
• A line of drivers all following each other multiplies the risk. A single crash can lead to a pile up of dozens of vehicles.

Instead, keep a large gap, and keep your own judgment. If you must follow a snow plow or a lead vehicle in a whiteout, keep the gap at a safe distance behind the plow, never pass it, and do not stop in the lane behind it. Plow drivers can cast a cloud of snow that cuts your view.

In many areas, authorities may organize a convoy behind a plow on closed roads. Follow their instructions, and do not join a convoy that has no clear leader or plan.

If you are caught in a pile up¶

Chain reaction crashes in fog and whiteouts are real. If you hear crashes ahead or see brake lights flare up, brake gently and steer to avoid vehicles. If a crash happens around you, stay in your car with your seat belt on if the traffic is still moving, because getting out among moving cars is dangerous. If you are able to get to a barrier far from the road, do it only when it is safe.

Call your local emergency number, report injuries, and give your location. If anyone is hurt, do not move them unless they are in danger, and give first aid within your skill. See car accident first steps for crash guidance.

A hands-on first aid course from the Red Cross, St John Ambulance, or a local provider teaches the skills to help after a crash, and it is worth taking.

Prepare your car and yourself¶

• Keep headlights, tail lights, and fog lights clean and working.
• Replace wipers and keep the washer fluid full, with a winter blend.
• Keep the windows clean inside and out, and use an anti fog treatment.
• Carry a winter kit with blankets, food, water, a torch (flashlight), a power bank, and a high visibility vest. See ikhithi yemoto yasebusika kunye netshekhi yemoto yangaphambi kobusika.
• Keep your fuel tank at least half full.
• Know your route and have a paper map as a backup.
• Do not drive tired. Fog and whiteouts demand more attention, and fatigue slows reactions.
• Put your phone in a holder and set your navigation before you start. Do not use it while driving.

Using technology wisely¶

Navigation apps and traffic maps help you see where roads are blocked, but they are not a reason to drive into poor weather. Check your route before you set off, and set the destination before you start the car. Avoid typing or scrolling while driving. If the app sends you down a minor road, ask whether it is treated and busy enough to be safe.

Weather radar, road cameras, and highway authority websites show conditions in real time. Many highway authorities publish live camera images, and some publish chain control or closure information. Weather apps issue warnings for fog, freezing rain, and snow squalls.

A snow squall is a brief, intense burst of snow and wind that can cut visibility to zero within minutes, and warning services in North America now issue alerts for them. If you get such an alert, stop in a safe place until it passes.

Iimpawu zokuncedisa umqhubi¶

Iikhamera kunye neerada ezisetyenziswa kukugcina umzila kunye neziqhoboshi ezizenzekelayo zinokusilela kwinkungu, ikhephu, nemvula eqhaqhazelis' amazinyo, kwaye iimoto zinokubonisa umyalezo wokuba inkqubo ayikho. Musa ukubathemba ukuba bahlawule ngokubonakala kakubi. I-adaptive cruise control ingakhawuleza imoto inyuke ngokungalindelekanga xa imoto engaphambili inyamalala kwimbono yayo, ngoko yicime kwinkungu nakwiindlela ezinomkhenkce.

Behavior of other road users¶

Xa bengabonakali kakuhle, abanye abaqhubi banokuziphatha ngendlela emangalisayo. Abanye bacotha kakhulu, abanye bayakhawuleza ukubaleka, kwaye abanye bema emgceni. Abahambi ngeenyawo, abakhweli beebhayisikile, kunye nezilwanyana banokuvela ngaphandle kwesilumkiso. Cwangcisa ukumangaliswa.

• Lindela iimoto ezimile ngaphandle kwezibane. Ungaze ucinge ukuba indlela engaphambili icacile.
• Zilumkele iilori, eziphosa isitshizi kunye nekhephu, kwaye zisenokungakuboni.
• Jonga izibane zebrake ngaphambili kwaye ukhululeke kwangoko.
• Musa ukuvala umva ukuze ubone imoto ngaphambili. Buyela Umva.
• Balumkele abaqhubi abadanyazisa izibane okanye abasebenzisa izibane eziphakamileyo kwinkungu, yaye abaphenduli ngolo hlobo.
• Suka kwiindawo ezingaboniyo zezithuthi ezinkulu, kwaye unike amakhuba ekhephu indawo eninzi.

Snow plows¶

Umqhubi wekhuba uhlala phezulu kwaye ubona kancinci ngasemva nasecaleni kwelori. Musa ukusondela emva kwekhuba, kuba ziphosa ityuwa, intlenga nekhephu, kwaye zinokuma okanye zihlehle ngaphandle kwesilumkiso. Musa ukugqitha ikhuba ngasekunene okanye uzame ukucudisa udlule. Hlala umva malunga neemitha ezingama-30 (iinyawo ezili-100), kwaye ulinde ixesha elikhuselekileyo ukuba lidlule ukuba indlela iyakuvumela kwaye ikhuba alisebenzi.

Fatigue and stress¶

Driving in poor visibility is tiring. The eyes work hard, muscles tense, and the mind has to track unusual cues. Take breaks at rest stops, drink water, and rest if you feel drowsy.

If you are very anxious or tired, stop and wait. Passengers can help by watching the road, giving quiet support, and staying calm. A stop to rest is part of the plan, not a delay.

Imibuzo edla ngokubuzwa¶

Should I use my hazard lights while driving in fog?¶

Rules differ by country and state, and many places discourage or ban driving with hazard lights on, because they can hide your indicators and confuse other drivers. Use dipped headlights and, where allowed, fog lights when visibility is very poor. Switch hazard lights on when you are stopped, or briefly to warn traffic of a hazard or very slow traffic ahead.

Should I follow the tail lights of the car in front in a whiteout?¶

No, it is safer to keep your own large gap and your own judgment. Following tail lights closely means you have little time to react, and a stop or crash ahead can lead to a pile up. If you cannot see the road, slow down and find a safe place to stop.

Is it safe to stop on the shoulder in fog?¶

It is a last resort, because stopped vehicles on a shoulder can be hit by drivers who cannot see them. If you must stop, go as far off the road as you can, switch off all lights, set the parking brake, keep your foot off the brake, and stay buckled in. A rest area, a car park, or an exit is a better place if you can reach one.

What should I do first if freezing rain starts while I am driving?¶

Slow down smoothly, avoid braking or steering sharply, and look for the nearest safe place to stop, such as a service area or car park. Stay clear of bridges and overpasses if you can, and keep a large gap from other vehicles. Once stopped, wait for road crews to treat the roads, and call for help if you are in danger.

Sources checked¶

• National Weather Service (United States) guidance on fog, freezing rain, and winter weather driving.
• Met Office (United Kingdom) advice on driving in fog and icy conditions.
• The Highway Code (United Kingdom), including the rules on fog, hazard lights, and driving in adverse weather, and National Highways (England) guidance.
• NHTSA (United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and AAA winter and low visibility driving guidance, and US state transportation department guidance on pulling off the road in fog.
• Transport Canada and provincial road safety guidance for winter driving.
• Ready.gov and FEMA (United States) winter weather and travel safety guidance.

Izikhokelo ezinxulumeneyo¶

• Whiteout conditions and blizzard driving
• Skidding on ice or black ice
• Stranded in a car in a winter storm
• Iced windshield, frozen locks and wipers
• Izaqhwithi zasebusika