Britons have been battling “unprecedented” flooding and freezing temperatures this week, as wintry weather sparks travel chaos.
As of Tuesday afternoon, over 123 flood warnings – including one severe danger-to-life warning – and some 213 flood alerts were in place across England.
Given the ongoing travel chaos, drivers must be more alert than ever to the potential dangers of driving on flooded roads.
It can cause danger to yourself, others and your vehicle, with out-of-control cars at risk of being fined £5,000.
If you must make an essential journey on flooded roads, here are some of the main hazards to be mindful of.
Don’t drive through high floodwater
You should avoid driving through floodwater at all times and only do so when unavoidable.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said on Tuesday it had been forced to respond to 45 emergency incidents in a matter of hours, many of which could have been avoided “if people had not driven through flood water”.
Most cars should never try to attempt driving through flood water higher than 10cm, while larger SUVs are generally advised to stay away from water higher than 30cm, according to the roadside assistance company RAC.
Vehicles going through water are more at risk of being swept away, especially if it is fast-flowing.
Cars can also have their lower-lying components destroyed, leaving the vehicle at risk of breaking down and getting stuck in high water.
Don’t drive as normal through low floodwater
If the body of water is shallow enough, the AA recommends driving through it “slowly and steadily (around 3-4 mph) so you don’t make a bow wave”, which could lead to water leaking into the bonnet.
Be sure to drive in the middle of the road where water should be at its shallowest point – stay in a low gear, using high revs, and keep the car moving and be sure not to stall.
Once the car is out of the water, gently tap the brakes a few times to ensure they are still working well and to allow them to heat up and help evaporate excess water.
Don’t restart your engine if it stops
According to the RAC: “If your engine cuts out after driving through deep water, do not attempt to restart it, as engine damage may occur.”
Water may have been sucked into the engine causing a phenomenon called “airlock”, which can damage components including engine rods, pistons and valves.
If you break down on a flooded road and it is still raining, be sure to also keep your bonnet closed to avoid your car’s electrical system being damaged.
The RAC says its figures show “breakdown numbers increase significantly during periods of wet weather” with damp conditions causing “problems with the engines and electrical systems, particularly in older vehicles”.
Do check your tyres before driving
Before you begin driving on rainy and flooded roads, you should check your windscreen wipers are fully functional, keep up-to-date with road closures and flooding alerts and, importantly, check your tyres.
There are legal requirements around a tyre’s tread depth to ensure they have enough grip on wet roads.
The police can fine drivers up to £2,500 for driving without due care and can also issue a three-point penalty.
Do slow down in flood conditions
Driving quickly through flooded roads can lead to aquaplaning, where tyres lose contact with wet roads, causing you to lose steering control.
If you believe your car is aquaplaning, hold the steering wheel lightly and gently slow the car right down until your tyres grip again.
According to the AA: “At anything above a slow crawl, you’ll cause water to splash onto pavements – soaking pedestrians or cyclists. You could be fined and get points on your licence for this.
“It only takes an egg cup full of water to be sucked into your engine to cause significant damage. For many cars, the engine’s air intake is low down at the front, making it quite susceptible to water damage.”
Do increase stopping distances
In wet weather, stopping distances should be at least double what you might be used to in dry weather, according to the Highway Code.
Because your tyres have less grip on a wet and flooded road, it takes longer for your vehicle to come to a full stop.
As opposed to allowing a two second time gap between cars, double that two second rule to a four second rule on a flooded road.
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