Flooded Roads and Your Driving: Top Tips to Keep you and Your Car Safe

With spring rains, the majority of us have experience flooded roadways, and we think we’re equipped to deal with it. Unfortunately, your Vauxhall isn’t as well-equipped. Just a cup of water can cause severe and often expensive damage to certain car parts. Flooded engines often need to be completely stripped down before they can be repairs, and other car parts are easily susceptible to water damage, like electrics and brakes; in many cases they may beyond repair and will need to replaced.

Driving through flooded areas isn’t just dangerous for your car, though; it can also be dangerous for you. One-third of flood-related deaths involve individuals who drive through flooded area, become stuck in their cars, and drown. Avoiding flooded areas is the best advice, but if you need to travel in severe weather, make sure you follow these tips.

Tips for Surviving Flooded Areas

• Pre-Drive Checks- One of the easiest ways to keep yourself and your Vauxhall safe is to perform some pre-drive checks before you head out in severe weather. Along with the usual evaluations on your oil, filters, and fluids, be sure to evaluate your windscreen wipers. Wipers that are in good condition will clear away rain and floodwater from the screen and allow you proper front and rear visibility. This will allow you to see where you are driving better and prevent you from driving into areas you shouldn’t.

• Assess First- You should never drive through floodwater without stopping and thinking the situation through first. Evaluate how deep the water is; if it’s more than 25cm, do not cross it as it could be harmful to your Vauxhall parts and you. Remember that most flooded roads are deeper than you might think. If the road is safe, let other vehicles pass completely through before you attempt to cross the water. Their speed could cause the water to splash under the bonnet of your Vauxhall and flood your car.

• Avoid Flowing Water- Fast flowing water and flood are often caused by bursting riverbanks. Even if you think the bridge or ford you’re crossing is safe, avoid it if there is any flowing water. Even 30cm of flowing water can move a car, and 60cm is enough to carry your car away.

• Drive Slowly- The speed at which you drive through a flooded area matters, as it could mean the potentially hazardous situations to Vauxhall parts, pedestrians on the side of the road, and yourself. Drive slowly so you are in control and reduce the risk of aquaplaning, a situation that occurs when your tyres lose their grip on the road and you aren’t able to steer. Slow driving also reduce the chance that water will splash on your car parts and cause them to malfunction or splash onto nearby pedestrians. You could face three to nine point on your licence and a fine if the police believe you splashed a pedestrian because you were driving recklessly.

The Worst-Case Scenario

Never apply the brakes or stop when you’re crossing a flooded area, as this increases the chances the car will become stuck. If, however, your Vauxhall becomes flooded and stops functioning, don’t panic. Don’t try to restart the engine or open the bonnet to see what might be wrong. If you can, pull over to a safe location. If not, turn on the headlights, fog lights, and hazard lights to alert other drivers of your situation, climb out of the car, and get to safety.

Remember: your life is worth much more than your car. Stay safe and don’t attempt to do anything risky.

Once the hazard has passed and you’re able to retrieve your Vauxhall, get it to a mechanic. Even if it seems to be functioning well, a mechanic will be able to tell you if any car parts were damaged in the flood.