What to Do When Encountering Flood While Driving
1 Answers
When suddenly encountering flood while driving, first and foremost, if the vehicle has entered a flooded area, drive with extreme caution. Observe the road conditions and avoid areas with large ripples, as there may likely be traps or obstacles underwater. If the engine stalls in the flood and fails to start after three consecutive attempts, immediately choose to abandon the vehicle. When preparing to pass through flowing water, make an advance assessment of the water's depth and flow speed, which can be measured using tools like a wooden stick. If the water level exceeds the depth of the headlights, do not force passage; instead, pull the handbrake and stand on the roof to await rescue. The key points for driving through water involve making a judgment before proceeding, adhering to the principle of 'hurry on sand, slow through water.' The so-called 'slow through water' ensures that the vehicle moves through water as gently as possible to minimize the waves and splashes created. This approach helps prevent water from being forced into the air intake by waves, which could damage the vehicle, and also avoids splashing pedestrians, which could lead to trouble. Generally, when moving through flowing water, it's best not to exceed a speed of 20 km/h. Keep both hands on the steering wheel to maintain control and avoid danger. Pay attention to controlling the speed, preferably below 20 km/h. Automatic transmission vehicles typically use the D gear for driving, but this gear automatically shifts up or down based on speed and RPM. If the vehicle shifts up while in water, the RPM will inevitably drop, causing a sudden decrease in exhaust pipe pressure.
