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Driving during a flood

Driving in flood conditions can be extremely dangerous, so unless your journey is absolutely necessary, don’t make it.

If you do have to travel, bear in mind the following advice.

Be prepared

If you live in an area susceptible to flooding, and flooding is expected, move your car to higher ground. As well as avoiding potential damage to your vehicle, it also lessens the risk of your car getting stuck in flood water and obstructing emergency services.

Keep track of local radio travel and weather reports, and try to plan your journey to avoid the most badly-affected areas.

Even if you’re only going a short distance, pack some spare clothes, food and drink and your mobile phone. It’s a good idea to pre-load your phone with relevant numbers such as those of local emergency services.

On the roads

If you come across a flooded part of the road, be very careful – and don’t drive through the water if you can’t tell how deep it is. Around two feet of water is all it takes to float many cars.

If you have to drive through the flood water, try and stay on the highest section of the road, assuming it is safe to do so. Never drive through floodwater if there is an oncoming vehicle. Drive at low speed in first gear, moving only quick enough to create the smallest of waves at the front of your car.

Once clear of the water, test your brakes.

A frightening statistic shows that 80% of flood-related deaths occur inside a vehicle*. If your car stalls in the water, leave it and move to higher ground.

Possible vehicle damage

Even if your car has been in a flood for a very short while, it will need checking out at the earliest opportunity.

Engine damage could have occurred if water has found its way into the air intake system, and Catalytic converters in the exhaust may also be affected if submerged in water.

If your car has been caught up in extreme flooding, and water has entered the car’s interior, you should not even switch on the ignition. Water in the electrical system can lead to airbags deploying without warning, which is highly dangerous to anybody sitting in the car.