Driving During Floods

We all have seen videos of drivers driving through flooded roads.  Some make it safely to the other side and some may be rescued by  passers-by. Sometimes the vehicles are washed away in the strong  currents causing loss of lives.

The safest and wisest thing to do when facing a flooded road is simply to find another route. Why driving through floods is not worth it:

• The water may be hiding a pothole, debris, or a washed-out road, all of which could cause you to stop midway or get washed away.
• Cars  today have little ground clearance hence water can easily interfere  with the exhaust system or seeps into the engine and cabin.
• Water  can cause severe engine or electrical system damage. Once it hits the  fan or rotating belt, water is thrown everywhere inside the engine  compartment.
• SUVs with a snorkel for air intake (very few have  it in our region) may be able to wade through stagnant water for some  time but can only be done by a trained and experienced driver. The  modern cars may get damaged if they wade even through shallow waters.
• Flowing  water is extremely dangerous. A small trickle over the road may be a  precursor to an oncoming torrent after you start crossing.
• Vehicles  may begin to float in just 30 cm of water, causing loss of control.  Most vehicles, including SUVs, can float away in just 60 cm of  fast-flowing water.
• The vehicle may skid and  slide uncontrollably even if the paved road is having a very small  amount of water. This is why many accidents happen during the rainy  season as drivers lose control over such stretches at high speed.
• Driving  at speed into 15 cm of water feels much like a crash, as you decelerate  instantaneously on impact, which can cause loss of control and can harm  those who are not wearing seatbelts inside the vehicle.
• Don’t  attempt to cross if water reaches above the footboard level. Also, keep  in mind that brakes don’t work well, or may fail if wheels are immersed  in the water.
• If you insist on driving through regardless of the  hazards, do it one vehicle at a time. This way you can avoid getting  trapped behind another vehicle in case it breaks down in the middle of  the passage.
• Don’t try to overtake another vehicle during a flood-like situation to avoid accidents.
• Don’t  stop or change gears during your attempt to cross a flooded road as  water may flow in the exhaust and cause engine to seize.
• Once  you have crossed the flooded road ensure your vehicle is working fine  and the engine has not been affected, rev up the engine to dry the  excess water and do not switch off the engine for some time.
• If  the interior of the car was affected by water, make sure you dry it well  before the next use and clean it using disinfectant to avoid the growth  of mold and fungus inside the vehicle.

After the vehicle has been through flooded roads get the vehicle  examined by a mechanic. Running it, or even just trying to start it, may  cause severe damage if water has gone anywhere it should not have.

Adapted from www.wheels.ca