CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 3, 2020) – With Tropical Storm Isaias expected to bring torrential rains across the Carolinas, AAA warns motorists of the dangers of potential flooding.
“Motorists can sometimes feel a false sense of security against the rain while in their vehicles,” said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson, AAA – the Auto Club Group in the Carolinas. “Water is one of the most dangerous components of major storms and just a few inches of water can turn your vehicle into a boat and put your life and the lives of others at risk.”
AAA urges motorists to adhere to the driving tips below if they encounter rising water on the roads:
- Visibility While Driving: If you can’t see the edges of the road or other vehicles at a safe distance while driving during wet weather, pull off the road as far as you can and wait for the rain to ease up. Make sure to turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers.
- Slow Down and Leave Room: Slowing down during wet weather driving can be critical to reducing a car’s chance of hydroplaning, when the tires rise up on a film of water. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. It is important for motorists to allow ample stopping distance between cars by increasing the following distance of the vehicle in front of them.
- Avoid Cruise Control: Never use cruise control in wet conditions. The chances of losing control of your vehicle greatly increase.
- Responding to a Skid: Even the most careful drivers can experience skids. If a driver feels their car is about to skid, don’t panic and follow these basic steps. Continue to look and steer in the direction the driver wants the car to go – and avoid slamming on the brakes to maintain control.
- 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 be very dangerous. Flooded roads 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 Your Vehicle Stalls in a Flooded Area: DO NOT remain in the car. If your vehicle shuts down while in standing water, do not try to restart it. That could cause more water to enter the engine and could cost thousands to repair. Abandon your vehicle as soon as possible and seek higher ground. Flood waters can elevate quickly, sweeping away the vehicle and its occupants.
About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 14 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 60 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.