Being Safe: Driving On Flooded Roads
A downpour or long periods of rain can cause roads to have higher levels of water than is normal. The levels rise as the drains on the road are unable to keep up with the amount of water.
The level of water on a road can be hard to determine in the drivers chair. If you want to drive through the water there are a few strategies you should learn about before attempting to do so. You do not want to be stranded in the road because you could not make it.
To figure out the level of water there are some options like roadside markers, kerbs, or even signs which can help you. You can also allow someone else to drive through the water before you attempt to. This gives you a better idea of whether the water is too high. It also saves you from repairs needed from water damage to your vehicle if the level is high. The repairs can be expensive, so it is best to allow someone else to take the risk.
Even when the rain on the road is a couple of centimetres caution still needs to be made in reducing your speed. If you go the speed limit you could still be entering a scenario in which the tyres are unable to grip the surface. A hydroplane could result in which you skid over the water and it could cause a loss of control.
Crossing through deep water has the potential to cause considerable damage to your car's engine, especially if water enters the air intake and goes on into the cylinders. If this happens, the engine will normally stop instantly and not restart, and you will be left with a very expensive repair bill. Its important to note that the height of the air intake can vary from car to car, although a good guide is not to cross through water that is deeper than the level of your car lights.
If the water level is safe enough to cross you should stay in first gear as you pass through, keep the revs high and the speed low, by slipping the clutch in a car with a manual gear box or left foot braking whilst applying the throttle in an automatic.
You want to drive through the centre of the road as that will be the shallower area. You will need to keep an eye out for other vehicles that may be travelling more quickly. They could send water up into your car and be less safe.
After you make it through the rainwater you will need to pull over to allow your brakes to dry. You can also depress your brakes to get them drier quicker. Make sure you check the brakes before resuming normal speeds.
Care and discretion are required when you drive through a flooded road. At any time you feel crossing the road to be too risky it is best to take a different path. - 21392
The level of water on a road can be hard to determine in the drivers chair. If you want to drive through the water there are a few strategies you should learn about before attempting to do so. You do not want to be stranded in the road because you could not make it.
To figure out the level of water there are some options like roadside markers, kerbs, or even signs which can help you. You can also allow someone else to drive through the water before you attempt to. This gives you a better idea of whether the water is too high. It also saves you from repairs needed from water damage to your vehicle if the level is high. The repairs can be expensive, so it is best to allow someone else to take the risk.
Even when the rain on the road is a couple of centimetres caution still needs to be made in reducing your speed. If you go the speed limit you could still be entering a scenario in which the tyres are unable to grip the surface. A hydroplane could result in which you skid over the water and it could cause a loss of control.
Crossing through deep water has the potential to cause considerable damage to your car's engine, especially if water enters the air intake and goes on into the cylinders. If this happens, the engine will normally stop instantly and not restart, and you will be left with a very expensive repair bill. Its important to note that the height of the air intake can vary from car to car, although a good guide is not to cross through water that is deeper than the level of your car lights.
If the water level is safe enough to cross you should stay in first gear as you pass through, keep the revs high and the speed low, by slipping the clutch in a car with a manual gear box or left foot braking whilst applying the throttle in an automatic.
You want to drive through the centre of the road as that will be the shallower area. You will need to keep an eye out for other vehicles that may be travelling more quickly. They could send water up into your car and be less safe.
After you make it through the rainwater you will need to pull over to allow your brakes to dry. You can also depress your brakes to get them drier quicker. Make sure you check the brakes before resuming normal speeds.
Care and discretion are required when you drive through a flooded road. At any time you feel crossing the road to be too risky it is best to take a different path. - 21392
About the Author:
Aquaplaning and floods are not the only hazard you can expect during a heavy downpour, so its important to make sure your Car Headlight Bulbs are working so that you can see clearly and be seen by other drivers. To maximise the light output from your headlights you could fit Xenon Bulbs, which are more powerful that standard car bulbs.
posted by X - Men @ 1:07 AM
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