Most South African motorists are aware of heavy rainstorms that suddenly appear, with roads becoming blocked over time, and before you know it, a road can turn into a raging river. The issue for a driver is to ask yourself: what do I do next? Read on and find out how to handle a flooded road while driving.1
Stay alert1
If you hear on the car radio about a possible danger of flooding on a road ahead, immediately try and move towards higher ground. Water can cause serious damage by crippling the car’s electronics and affects airbags that may deploy.
What to do when you encounter a flood while driving1
- Turn on your headlights or fog lights, but remember to switch them off when visibility has improved.
- Slow down to minimise the danger of aquaplaning.
- Should the car break down, do not open the bonnet to avoid damaging the electronics.
- Avoid driving into moving water or if the depth exceeds 10 cm.
- Avoid making a bow wave by driving slowly – the air intake in most cars is positioned quite low in the engine. The issue is that if a small cupful of water enters the engine, it can cause severe damage.
- As soon as you are out of the water, it’s essential to use your brakes, as they could rust up quickly.
- When you lose steering control due to lifting tyres, slow down completely to regain a grip on the road.
Do you have emergency numbers on your cell phone?1
When you are in a flooding emergency, you may not have the time to phone around to find the correct emergency number. You must have these vital numbers saved on your cell phone and readily available.
Avoid physical contact with flood water1
Floodwater may be contaminated with sewerage or otter chemicals, so avoid physical contact with the water as much as possible.
What about fast-flowing water?1
Water that is flowing at about 6 km/hr and 15 cm deep will sweep you off your feet. If you do fall into cold water, your muscle strength can be reduced by about 30%.
Some facts about flood water1
If the speed of floodwater doubles, this will cause the force impacting your car to increase four times. Your car will begin to move when the depth of standing water is 30 cm, but your car will float at 60 cm.
Flooded roads can be dangerous, and it is vital to be prepared for such events. For peace of mind, it is important to check with your insurer to what extent you are covered for flooding events. Are you looking to get more affordable yet reliable car insurance? Why not contact PMD regarding affordable car insurance that comes with unique benefits such as fixed premiums. * T’s and C’s apply.
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Source:
1https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/seasonal/driving-through-flood-water
Don't Risk Driving through Deep Water! Advice on Flood Risks for Drivers and Pedestrians https://t.co/46EvTnRfWa #ArriveAlive #Durban pic.twitter.com/o9SLiDV2P7
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 10, 2017