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.
Gauteng has been experiencing non-stop rain for the past week. This has led to many parts of the province experiencing flooding.
Sadly, many houses and cars have been negatively affected by the storm.
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.
Also read: [PICTURES] Chaos in Centurion as Hennops River floods