What are the reasons why flooded roads affect driving safety and make passage difficult?
2 Answers
Because the road is submerged in water, it becomes difficult to see hidden potholes and raised surfaces. Among the factors affecting driving safety, apart from weather, road conditions, and the driver's operational skill level, the most crucial factors are the driver's legal awareness, traffic safety consciousness, and traffic safety literacy, which are the decisive elements influencing driving safety. Below are some precautions for vehicle operation: 1. Maintain a safe distance, drive at a moderate speed, and slow down in advance at intersections or crowded areas. 2. Keep an eye on all directions and be alert to your surroundings while driving. Stay in your lane and avoid lane encroachment or forced overtaking. 3. Control your speed, observe road conditions frequently, and brake early if there are obstacles to avoid emergency braking. Try to use engine braking as much as possible to prevent tire lock-up and skidding.
I have extensive driving experience and have encountered many flooded road situations, which definitely affect safe driving. When the water is deep, visibility becomes blurred, and rain hitting the windshield makes it hard to see vehicles or pedestrians ahead, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. Tire grip decreases, and even a slight oversteer can cause the car to drift out of control. I remember once driving through a puddle during a heavy rainstorm—the car suddenly hydroplaned and nearly veered into the roadside greenery. Road conditions become even more dangerous, with hidden potholes or obstacles invisible under the water, which could lead to tire bursts or chassis damage if driven over. If the water is too deep, it can submerge the exhaust pipe, causing the engine to take in water and stall, leaving the car stranded in the flood. Driving too fast also creates large waves that splash other vehicles, potentially causing more accidents. Overall traffic slows down, leading to congestion. It's best to reduce speed, turn on fog lights, and drive carefully in rainy conditions.
