As wet weather and flooding continue it is timely to remind drivers to take care on roads, not drive into floodwater and obey all ‘Road Closed’ signage. Tragically several lives have already been lost across the state following vehicles entering floodwaters. Others have been fortunate to escape or be rescued when vehicles have been swept off the road or become stranded in floodwaters.
Flooded roads are risky. You can't determine how fast the water is moving, or what the road surface is like beneath the water. Floodwater may be deeper or faster flowing than it appears and contain hidden snags or debris. Road surfaces can be eroded and washed away by floodwaters, leaving deep holes and uneven surfaces which cannot be seen. Roads that you might be familiar with may have extensive damage, that you cannot see, after being impacted by floodwater.
A 'Road Closed' sign means that road is unsafe to travel on. Never move a ‘Road Closed’ sign or drive around these signs. Accessing a closed road will impact your ability to claim insurance if your vehicle is damaged. If there is a flooded road which does not have a ‘Road Closed' sign, it is still unsafe to travel through floodwater. From a distance, flood waters may not appear to be too high or dangerous but are often deeper and faster flowing than they appear. Find alternate ways which are free from floodwater or wait until the all clear is given for that road. It is safer to turn around than to enter floodwater.
A typical car will lose power in depths greater than 15cm as water enters the exhaust and washes into the air intake. Research conducted by the University of New South Wales demonstrates that as little as 15cm of water is enough for a standard one-tonne small hatch or coupe vehicle to start to float, reducing the drivers control and endangering occupants. A mid-sized car can be moved by water only 30cm deep. While a large two-and-a-half-tonne four wheeled drive can be moved by water only 45cm deep, which is below knee height for an adult. Owners of off-road vehicles shouldn’t assume they are immune, as the fast-flowing force can overcome four-wheel drive or any other tool at their disposal.
Even if you are able to drive through a flooded road, you’re still not safe yet. Having so much moisture on your brake pads can seriously impair your ability to brake suddenly. If your car has been sitting in deep water, do not attempt to drive it, as the car’s electrics may have also been compromised impacting critical safety equipment.
With many of our river systems in significant flood, including the Murrumbidgee River, one of the key safety messages is simple - don’t drive through floodwaters. Doing so will likely severely damage your vehicle and more importantly could put your life and the lives of others at risk. Remember always drive to the conditions and if you come across a flooded road, turn around and find another way. If it’s flooded, forget it.
With conditions quickly changing, it’s important that you keep up to date with road closures by following updates from Live Traffic NSW and advice from the relevant local council website.
For emergency help in floods, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
