Sometimes, permanent traffic signs almost seem to be designed to be ignored (and therefore lose much of their safety value at relevant times). One classic example of this, in the lower 48 states of the USA, might be the very common signs stating ‘Road Subject to Ice,’ but in a late July heatwave it’s a pretty safe bet they don’t mean ‘right now!’
What about a permanently fixed sign that reads ‘Water Over Roadway,’ as in the photograph above? Some drivers would appear to be born skeptics, so if you tend to simply ignore signs like this, then it’s important instead to be ultra-observant and look for any additional proof. Be cautious until you have a definitive answer!
Now, it’s all well and good us having some fun with road signs, but this is of course a very serious subject. Vehicle occupants are killed in floodwater every year in America so any flooded road must be treated with extreme respect.
Here are three important rules when you encounter flooded roads:
- If you cannot see how deep the water is, do not drive into it — period!
- Flowing water needs only be as little as eight inches deep to potentially wash you and your car away — don’t forget that your air-filled tires are effectively flotation devices (until the water gets deep and your vehicle might roll over!) — and if you end up getting swept into a river the danger is extreme, so be particularly wary of moving water.
- If you genuinely have to go through it — and we mean a critical scenario, not just convenience — drive slowly in water, so as not to build up a bow-wave and flood the electrics under the hood. It’s the last place you want your car to cut out.
An the moral of this post is: Don’t be too quick to ignore signs which at least some of the time could potentially save your life. In the case of water across the road, it is perfectly feasible that you could arrive somewhere that has just suffered torrential rain and flooding while everywhere else you have passed through so far on your journey has been bone dry for months. Places susceptible to flash floods can be particularly dangerous.
Finally, please be aware that unless conditions become critically unsafe, such as the issue of travel bans, we welcome the opportunity at Advanced Drivers of North America [ADoNA], to work with drivers in bad weather. What better way to demonstrate and teach the absolute maximization of safety!
__________
As always, please be aware that this website is registered with the United States Copyright Office and that punitive legal action for damages may be taken against anyone who breaches our copyright. This, however, does not stop you from posting links to any of our pages, and you are welcome to do so.
