Hidden dangers of wet weather driving
In the 4x4 environment, the saying "slower is faster" is the solution to overcoming many an obstacle. In water - if you can't walk through it, you should not endeavor to drive through it either.
Remember, as a child, how you used to play and splash in even the smallest of puddles? It is said, however, that one can drown in a cup of water. This principle may well also apply to driving in the rain. A seemingly small puddle of water can cause your car to aquaplane with deadly consequences.
Dewald Ranft of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) suggests that you turn around rather than drive through the water when you see it damming on the road.
“Even 20cm of water can damage electronic and mechanical components on a vehicle and as little as 60cm of moving water can sweep a car away,” he says.
Trip preparation includes checking the weather conditions and roadworks that may divert your route. When you do, however, get surprised by a flash flood, stay calm, take your cell phone and move to higher ground, even if it means leaving your vehicle.
These situations can be extremely stressful so apply these tips:
• Switch the headlights and hazard lights on
• Alert your family or friends and send them a location pin
• If you can, turn around
• If you absolutely have to drive through the water, shift the car into 1st gear, both hands on the steering, and drive at a speed that will traverse the water to form a bow wave in front of your car. This will minimise the water entering the engine bay and protect the electronic components.
• Be especially cautious at night or when visibility is low as it will be harder to see flooding ahead.
• Should you find yourself surrounded by water, unfasten seatbelts, unlock doors and wind down the windows.
• If water starts coming in through the windows, get out of the car and go to the nearest point on safe higher ground.
• If your car is suddenly submerged and your windows aren’t already open, you will have no choice but to break a window and swim to safety. This is where that old spark plug in the cubbyhole becomes a lifesaver – use it to break the window.
Do not start your vehicle after it has been in deep water before it has been inspected by an accredited workshop or technician.
Source: Cathy Findley PR
