Avoiding road accidents and other disasters while driving through floods
The impact of global warming is making flooding and other freak weather conditions more regular all over the world. Flooding could be a result of a river bursting its banks after heavy rain fall or the inability of town sewers and drainage systems to cope with large volumes of water. Some areas of Britain are much more likely to flood than others.
Driving through floods can be exceedingly dangerous; you could lose control of your car and cause a road accident. Flood water could also get into your car’s mechanism, causing engine failure and leaving you stranded with a hefty repair bill.
www.car-accident-claim.com advises that you keep an eye on the weather in order to be prepared for the onset of flooding. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding make sure that you move your car to higher ground so as not to cause an obstruction to emergency vehicles in the event of a road accident and to minimise water damage to your vehicle. Try to avoid driving until the floods have subsided but if you have no other option the following advice may come in useful:
Driving safely through floods
- Leave plenty of extra time to get to your destination
- Listen to local radio for regular updates on driving conditions in your area
- Carry a mobile phone in case you get into difficulties
Before attempting to drive through a flood you must check the depth of the water:
- Do not drive if you are unsure of the depth
- Do not drive at speed into water over 15 cm deep (6 in) – the water pressure will make driving difficult, you may lose control of the vehicle causing a car crash and cause personal injuries to other motorists or pedestrians
- Do not drive through water over 30 cm deep (12 in) – some four wheel drives can but most regular cars are not designed for this
- Know where the air intake system is – you don’t want your engine to stall or flood beyond repair
- Do not attempt to drive through fast moving water – your car may be swept off the road
If you have decided the water is safe enough to drive through the following tips may prevent you from causing road accidents or unnecessary damage to your car:
- One vehicle at a time - wait for oncoming vehicles to pass before you attempt to drive through the water
- Keep to the centre - if safe, drive on the highest part of the road to minimise damage to your engine
- First or second gear - drive slowly to avoid a bow wave which could flood your exhaust or engine
- Do not change gear - water can be sucked back through the exhaust
- Keep the exhaust clear - slip the clutch and rev the engine to keep it running in case water splashes onto the electrics
- Watch the cat - your catalytic converter works at high temperatures so could be cracked if submerged into cold water
- Sink the car - if your wheels lose grip while driving your car may be attempting to float, vehicles only need 2 ft of water before they are able to float. Let some water in to weigh the car down so your tyres can regain their grip
- Test the breaks - after driving through a flood test the efficiency of your breaks. If they are not working properly they can be dried by applying very light pressure on them while driving slowly
Safety precautions following driving through floods
The level of water that you have driven through will often determine the extent of damage that has been caused to your vehicle. After driving through a flooded area it is advisable that you thoroughly check over your vehicle so that any damage can be repaired, preventing the risk of more serious damage or the chance of causing a vehicle accident.
Water has entered passenger compartment
If your carpets are wet do not turn the ignition. There may be a risk of an electrical short circuit which could cause serious damage to your vehicle and leave you with burn injuries or other personal injuries. Also, turning the ignition could cause your airbags to inflate due to water in the electrical system. It is safest to get your car checked over by a professional before restarting your engine.
Water has not entered the passenger compartment
Even if your carpets are dry water could have infiltrated through to the vehicle’s breaking system. Driving without checking the efficiency of your breaks could cause you to have a car accident. If your vehicle has been standing in a flooded area for a short time take care when driving and book it into to a garage as soon as possible. However, if the vehicle has been standing in a flooded area for a longer period of time seek professional advice before driving it.
www.car-accident-claim.co.uk advises that you try to plan alternative routes and avoid driving through flooded areas but if driving through floods is absolutely necessary follow our safety recommendations. This will reduce the chances of your car being damaged by the water and should decrease your chances of you being involved in a road accident due to engine failure, break failure, loss of car control or any other malfunction caused by flooded roads.
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