Driving on flooded roads is never a good idea. However, most of the time you can get caught up in floods due to the unpredictable weather conditions.
Equipping yourself with the knowledge about safe driving on flooded roads will help you to drive safely. In this article, we are going to look at different things that do when you are driving on a flooded road.
How to Drive Safely On Flooded Roads
Flood water can hide debris and drips on the road, therefore, you need to be careful even if you know the road very well.
It is recommended that you avoid driving on flooded roads especially when the water level can reach your car exhaust. The high flood water level can even make your car flood so be careful.
The following tips will help you to drive safely on flooded roads.
- Drive-In The Centre Of The Road
The safest part of the road to drive on is in the centre. This is because in most cases, the water levels are mostly shallow at the centre of the road. So next time you are caught up in flood water while driving, forget about the lanes and drive in the middle of the road, provided it is clear from oncoming traffic.
- Drive-In Low Gear
Protect your car and keep it at a constant speed by driving in low gear. This will give your car more control. If you are driving an automatic car, maintain low gear by regulating the speed using the brakes.
- Don’t Speed
It is a bad idea to speed when driving in floods. Speeding can cause problems such as flooding the engine. It is therefore important to maintain a speed of about 3 to 4 mph. Driving fast also causes a wake that can be dangerous for other drivers.
- Take Turns With Others
It is good to maintain a single lane with other cars. It is not a good idea to go past other splashing water. Following other cars will also give your car better traction because the water moves away.
- Cross On Shallow Waters Only
Do you know that even 15 centimeters of water can make you lose control of your vehicle easily? It is therefore good to wait until the water level has gone down to be safe.
- Dry The Brakes
Once you are clear of flooded roads it is important to dry brakes first. Some people forget to do that and this can cause problems when you need to stop your car. Do this by gently tapping your brake after leaving the flooded area. This will test the traction and dry them.
For safe driving during floods, follow these simple tips. If you need help with your damaged windshield, get in touch with Novus Auto Glass today. Discover their windscreen services and contact them for more information.