Should You Drive Fast or Slow Through Water?
1 Answers
When driving through water, you should slow down. The water surface creates a gap between the car's tires and the ground, causing the tires to lose traction. Waterlogged roads also have a certain buoyancy, and driving quickly through them will inevitably result in loss of traction. Even a small amount of water on highways can cause this situation. The speed limits on highways are based on solid scientific principles, so driving speed should be reduced in rainy weather—use the lowest gear and the slowest speed. It's essential to assess the water depth carefully, including the depth, flow rate, and conditions of the road beneath the water, as well as the width of the entry and exit points, to determine whether it's safe to proceed. If the water level reaches two-thirds of the front bumper or the tires, driving through the water poses a certain risk. Avoid tailgating the car in front, and while driving, do not release the accelerator or shift gears, as this can easily cause water to enter the exhaust pipe and affect the engine's operation. If the engine stalls midway, do not attempt to restart it. Instead, exit the vehicle immediately to assess the extent of flooding. If the water level exceeds half of the tire height, the driver should remove the key and roll up the windows to prevent water from entering the car. Call for rescue assistance as soon as possible or seek help to move the car out of the water to avoid prolonged submersion, which can damage the chassis. Alternatively, you can ask someone to help push the car out to minimize losses.
