5 Essential Tips For Driving Safely Through Floods

Flooding is a common occurrence that can happen anytime and anywhere, and it has become increasingly frequent due to the damaging effects of climate change and global warming.

Driving, which may otherwise seem like a simple task, can quickly become a tricky and dangerous affair during heavy monsoons and floods.

To ensure your safety and that of your vehicle, follow these five essential tips when driving through flooded areas.

1. Avoid Large Pools of Water: The foremost step in ensuring your safety and that of your car is to avoid driving through heavily flooded areas. Most cars are not designed to be driven through more than half a foot of water, although SUVs may fare better than sedans. To avoid potential risks, consult Google Maps or ask locals for directions to navigate around heavily flooded areas. Before attempting to drive through a pool of water, try to assess its depth.
2. Keep Moving Slowly and Steadily: When driving through a flood, it is crucial to keep your car moving slowly and steadily without coming to a halt. Avoid accelerating too much, as this may cause water to enter vital parts of the car, such as the exhaust and intake. Put your car in a lower gear, ideally not beyond the first or second gear, to prevent the engine from stalling.
3. Do Not Restart the Engine if Stalled in Water: If your car stalls while driving through a water-logged area, do not attempt to restart the engine immediately. Doing so may put additional stress on the engine’s connecting rods, potentially causing them to break and resulting in costly repairs. If you suspect that water has entered the engine, turn it off immediately to prevent further damage.
4. Stay Calm and Don’t Panic: If your car becomes stuck in a large pool of water, remain calm and avoid panicking. The force exerted by standing water on a car during floods is often greater than it appears and can prevent doors from opening. If the doors do not operate normally, apply force using both legs. If the problem persists, use a blunt object, such as a headrest, to break one of the windows and create an escape route. Avoid breaking the windscreen, as it is generally more difficult to break than the car windows.
5. Pump the Brakes After Clearing the Water: Once you have steered clear of a body of water, press the brakes firmly to pump out any water that may have accumulated around the brake area. This issue is common in cars with drum brakes, which are often found on the rear wheels of most car models sold in India.

By following these tips, you can greatly reduce the risks associated with driving through flooded areas during monsoons. Remember to prioritise your safety and that of your vehicle by making informed decisions and taking necessary precautions.