Seven tips to help you drive in flooded areas

Seven tips to help you drive in flooded areas

Driving in a flooded area is not only difficult, but it is also dangerous. Here is what you need to do in case you find yourself in a flooded area while behind the wheel.

Flood
Driving in the flood/ iStock

There are many reasons why driving in the flood is dangerous. Water can stall the engine, be sucked into the exhaust or washed into the air intake. It is also difficult to control your car. 

But sometimes one can find themselves stuck in areas where it is flooded. 

In case you get stuck, this is what you need to do:

Stop

Don’t drive in dangerous flooded conditions. 

If the roads are too flooded, rather stop driving to avoid putting your life and car in danger. 

Don’t restart the engine

If your car gets stuck, don’t attempt to restart the engine. This could lead to more damage to your car.

Check the air intake position in your car

If the air intake is positioned too low, then rather don’t drive, otherwise, it will easily suck in the flood water into the engine.

Drive in first gear 

Drive in gear one and stay in the same gear. Also, press the clutch pedal down slightly with the accelerator. This should keep the water out of the exhaust pipe.

Keep a safe distance between yourself and other cars

To avoid causing an accident, rather keep a safe distance between you and the car next to you. 

Put your lights on

It can get dark when it rains. So, it is always advisable to put your lights on, so that other drivers can see you. 

Don’t dash into the water

That will splash water into your engine and damage your vehicle parts.

READ: 2 children drown, 4 missing after flooding in KZN

Image courtesy of iStock/ Animaflora

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