Earlier today, I found myself driving behind a vehicle that was releasing thick black smoke so dense that I had to fall far back just to see the road ahead.
This wasn’t a brief puff.
It was constant.
Visibility disappeared.
The air became foul.
And every driver behind was forced to react.
This is not just unpleasant. It is a serious road safety issue.
Excessive exhaust smoke creates instant danger. Drivers behind cannot clearly see brake lights, potholes, cyclists, pedestrians, or sudden hazards. At speed, even a second of lost visibility can result in a crash.
Black smoke often indicates poor combustion, over-fuelling, engine faults, or failed emissions systems. In simple terms, the vehicle is not roadworthy. There is also a health impact. That smell is not harmless. It contains fine pollution particles pushed directly into the lungs of everyone behind you. Windows closed or not, it lingers.
Too often this is dismissed as:
“It’s just an old car.”
“Diesels do that.”
They shouldn’t.
If your vehicle is producing excessive smoke, it needs attention, not next month, not later, but now. Road safety is not only about how you drive. It is also about what you drive and the condition you keep it in. When other motorists are forced to slow down or back off because they cannot see through your exhaust fumes, something is already wrong.
This is where being prepared matters.
At Drive Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance, we see the consequences of everyday breakdowns, engine failures, and roadside emergencies that could have been prevented.
We provide:
• Towing
• Vehicle recovery
• Roadside support
• Help when your vehicle lets you down
Membership means you are not stranded when problems escalate. It means help is already one call away. Don’t wait for a breakdown to think about support. Join today. Drive prepared. Drive protected.
Please share this message. One email, one post, or one conversation could prevent an accident — and that matters. Drive Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance Your partner on Zimbabwe’s roads http://facebook.com/105600827733427.
