This post was published on Sep 2, 2025 | Updated on Sep 10, 2025
South Africa's roads, unfortunately, are no strangers to disrepair. From persistent potholes to the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions like flooding, the state of many roads is causing major concerns for drivers. Whether you're in a bustling city or navigating rural areas, potholes and poorly maintained roads have become a widespread issue. However, the impact of these deteriorating roads is not just limited to the immediate danger they pose to your vehicle, it also affects fuel consumption, road safety, and overall driving conditions, especially when weather patterns and flooding come into play.
Potholes: The Hidden Threat
Potholes are perhaps the most visible and damaging problem faced by South African motorists today. They typically appear after periods of heavy rainfall and can persist for months, despite repeated patching efforts. These road hazards have become a daily reality across the country, no longer limited to rural areas or small towns. Unfortunately, not all damaged roads are marked with proper warnings, making them especially dangerous at night or during adverse weather conditions. According to SANRAL, South African roads may contain as many as 25 million potholes, equivalent to nearly 148,000 kilometres of road affected. Driving on these damaged roads can cause significant harm to your vehicle. (SANRAL, February 2023)
Potholes represent a growing risk to South African road users. At iWYZE, we believe in using real customer data to uncover patterns that help us protect what matters most: your safety and your vehicle. The graph below tells a revealing story of how pothole-related incidents have evolved over the past decade—and why now, more than ever, proactive awareness and insurance coverage are essential.
Source: iWYZE customer data, 2015 -2025
At iWYZE, we take a data-led approach to understanding the risks our drivers face. To deepen our understanding of these trends, we asked one of our in-house experts for their professional perspective. Here's how our analytics team sees the road ahead:
“As a Solutions Analyst at iWYZE, I’ve seen firsthand how changing road and weather conditions are reflected in real customer claims and vehicle performance data. Even at a surface level from an underwriting perspective, it’s clear how these environmental factors influence both risk exposure and claim frequency. This piece highlights an important connection, external infrastructure and climate trends aren’t just background noise, they actively shape how insurance products should respond. Our data not only helps us price risk more accurately but also enables us to proactively protect our customers by identifying emerging trends, like the rise in pothole-related incidents and weather-induced vehicle damage. This blog is a great step toward helping South African drivers understand these risks better and take preventative steps which is something we’re committed to supporting at iWYZE.”
- Nkazimulo Sibiya
This perspective brings home how essential it is to bridge the gap between real-world conditions in South Africa and smart, responsive insurance solutions. We aim to turn risk awareness into actionable guidance and practical protection for our policyholders.
Hitting a pothole at high speed can damage your tyres, rims, and shock absorbers, as well as throw off your vehicle's alignment. The consequences can be severe, with the potential for accidents, ranging from losing control and rolling your car to crashing into oncoming traffic. It’s not just the impact on your car that matters; potholes also contribute to higher petrol consumption, as dodging and swerving can lead to drivers using more fuel, especially when they increase their speed in a desperate attempt to avoid a pothole.
Flooding: A Growing Concern
Beyond potholes, flooding has become a major concern for South African roads. Extreme weather events and changing weather trends have led to more frequent and severe floods. In addition to making roads impassable, floods can exacerbate pothole formation and cause more extensive road damage. For example, heavy rainfall can wash away the layers of tar, leaving behind a hazardous driving surface full of craters. In many cases, flooded roads may appear deceptively safe, leading to dangerous situations where vehicles become stuck or swept away by rising waters.The combination of flooding and poor road maintenance directly impacts vehicle safety. High water levels can make it difficult for drivers to assess road conditions ahead, increasing their vulnerability to accidents. Additionally, driving through standing water can damage a vehicle’s undercarriage, exhaust system, and brakes. For example, repairing the exhaust system on a small vehicle like a Polo Vivo could cost upwards of R1,900 for a rear pipe with a silencer, or between R3,500 and R4,000 for a stainless steel performance system. Wet roads further increase the risk of accidents, as vehicles are more prone to skidding and losing control. According to the Daily Maverick, wet roads, flooding, and poor visibility account for nearly 27% of fatalities on South African roads.
Sudden weather changes also make it harder for drivers to predict and respond to road conditions. After a rainy day, what might appear to be a shallow puddle could actually be a dangerous pothole waiting to cause damage. If you’re not paying close attention, you might unexpectedly find yourself navigating around large holes or submerged sections of the road, which can disrupt your driving and lead to increased fuel consumption.
Understanding the Hidden Costs of South Africa’s Road Conditions
Understanding the ripple effects of bad roads is key to knowing how to protect yourself on (and off) the road. Here’s a breakdown from Leon on how poor infrastructure translates to both physical and financial impact:
“1. Increased Accident Risk:
Poor road conditions are a major contributor to accidents. Potholes can cause drivers to swerve unexpectedly, leading to collisions.
2. Vehicle Damage:
Bad roads are notorious for damaging vehicles. Common issues include:
• Tire blowouts
• Bent rims
• Suspension damage
• Wheel misalignment
3. Areas with poor infrastructure (Bad roads) tend to have more claims, which can lead to:
• Higher premiums for all drivers in the area
• Reduced coverage options (high number of exclusions )
• Increased deductibles (excess)
4. Fraudulent Claims
In some cases, bad roads can create opportunities for fraudulent claims. For example, a driver might exaggerate the extent of damage caused by a pothole to get a full repair covered ” - Leon Gounden, Team Leader: Sales
These points reinforce why awareness, proactive maintenance, and choosing the right insurance product are critical steps in navigating South Africa’s road challenges.
How to Safeguard Your Vehicle and Minimise Fuel Consumption
With all these road challenges, it's crucial to take steps to protect both your vehicle and your petrol consumption. Here’s how you can drive more safely and efficiently:
- Increase Visibility at Night: Poor visibility, especially at night or in rainy conditions, makes it difficult to see potholes. Ensure you're using your bright headlights when there's no oncoming traffic, and keep your eyes on the road at all times.
- Drive Cautiously in Wet Weather: When roads are wet, even shallow-looking potholes can become unexpectedly dangerous. Always slow down when approaching puddles or wet areas, and avoid speeding through puddles in an attempt to “fly over” potholes. Wet roads can increase the risk of losing control.
- Keep a Safe Following Distance: Give yourself enough space between your vehicle and the one ahead. This will allow you to spot potholes and road hazards in time, giving you the opportunity to navigate around them safely.
- Check Your Tyres and Vehicle Suspension Regularly: Ensure that your tyres are properly inflated and well-maintained to handle the impact of potholes. It's also important to check your vehicle's suspension and alignment, as potholes can cause significant damage to these systems. Properly maintained vehicles are more fuel-efficient and less likely to suffer costly damage. It’s always advisable to check your car's tyres at least weekly, and ideally daily before driving, for optimal safety and performance.
- Adjust Your Speed: Slow down when driving on roads known to have potholes or in areas where flooding could be a concern. Slowing down not only helps protect your vehicle but also reduces fuel consumption.
- Mind the Flooded Roads: If you come across a flooded area, do not attempt to drive through it unless you're certain of the water's depth and your vehicle's ability to pass through it safely. Generally, cars should not be driven through water deeper than 10cm. This is because water can damage the engine, electrical systems, and exhaust, potentially causing stalling or a hydrolock. Even shallow water can lead to loss of control, especially if the water is moving.
- Consider Alternative Routes: When possible, try to choose well-maintained roads that are well lit or highways that are less prone to potholes and flooding. This will reduce the wear on your vehicle and potentially save on petrol.
Car insurance
What to Do If You Hit a Pothole
If you do hit a pothole, it's important to assess the damage immediately. If you're an iWYZE policyholder, your tyre and rim cover can assist in fixing minor damages, such as tyre punctures or rim issues. In more severe cases, you can rely on your iWYZE comprehensive vehicle insurance to get you back on the road.
Being cautious, prepared, and proactive, can minimise the impact of South Africa's bad roads, weather trends, and flooding on your vehicle, ensuring both your safety and your vehicle's longevity. Regularly inspecting your tyres, suspension, and alignment, as well as maintaining safe following distances, can help you avoid costly repairs and reduce the risk of accidents. Being mindful of weather conditions and adjusting your driving habits accordingly can further protect you from unexpected road hazards. Ultimately, a little extra care and attention can go a long way in safeguarding your vehicle and ensuring a smoother, safer driving experience on South Africa's challenging roads.
