CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 10, 2016) -With several areas under flood warnings throughout the Carolinas following Hurricane Matthew, AAA is urging motorists to heed official warnings and avoid driving on flooded and wet roads if possible.
“It’s important that drivers heed official warnings and avoid driving on wet and flooded roads if able,” said Dave Parsons, President and CEO of AAA Carolinas “If you see rising water, don’t drive through it! Driving through standing water is especially dangerous, because you never know just how deep the water is or what you are driving over.”
AAA has a few tips for motorists, dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew:
- Avoid standing water and flooded roads at all times:There is no way to tell how deep standing water is on a flooded road and driving through it can cause a vehicle to stall and result in severe damage to the vehicle from:
- Flooding the engine
- Warping brake rotors
- Loss of power steering
- Short in electrical components
- If you find yourself in an unsafe situation, please contact law enforcement.
- Traffic signal blackout: If traffic signal lights are not working due to power failure, you must stop at the intersection and then proceed when you know other turning and approaching vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians have stopped. A blacked-out traffic signal works the same as a four-way stop intersection.
- If your vehicle stalls in a flooded area:
- DO NOTremain in the car.
- Abandon your vehicle as soon as possible and seek higher ground. Flood waters can elevate quickly, sweeping away the vehicle and its occupants.
Roads closures also apply to our tow truck drivers as safety is the key for everyone.
AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 2 million members and the public with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.