Floods and heavy rain

The AA has its own specially-trained and equipped flood rescue team called Special Operations Response Team (SORT).

Darron Burness, Head of Special Operations, says: "If you come across flood water, you should only attempt to drive through if you know it's not too deep and maintain a steady, slow speed to avoid creating a bow wave."

The engine's air intake on many cars is low down at the front of the car and it can take just an egg cupful of water in the combustion chamber to wreck an engine. Water doesn't compress and the piston in effect hits a wall, bending or breaking a con rod. Driving fast - even if the intake's above the water level - could cause water to be ingested.

Darron continues: "If you're unlucky enough to break down in heavy rain, don't prop the bonnet open while you wait for the patrol to arrive – the engine will be more difficult to start again if the electrics are all rain-soaked. Instead, pull over to a safe and visible place and wait for help to arrive."

Be safe, and prepare for wet weather:

• Remember that according to the Highway Code: You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves.
• Give yourself the best chance of being able to see clearly in wet weather by renewing windscreen wipers if worn or damaged; a demonstration is available on one of the AA Patrol Podcasts.

• Double the distance you leave between your car and the car in front of you, as stopping distances are increased by wet roads.
• If steering becomes unresponsive due to the rain, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.

Only drive through water if you know that it's not too deep. Drive slowly and steadily to avoid creating a bow wave. Allow oncoming traffic to pass first and test your brakes as soon as you can after leaving the water.

Don't try driving through fast-moving water, such as at a flooded bridge approach – your car could easily be swept away.

Watch out for standing water, trying to avoid it if you can, and adjust your speed to the conditions.

• Driving fast through standing water is dangerous; tyres lose contact with the road and you lose steering control in what's known as 'aquaplaning'. If you do experience aquaplaning, hold the steering wheel lightly and lift off the throttle until the tyres regain grip.
• Driving fast through standing water is inconsiderate. Driving through water at speeds above a slow crawl can result in water being thrown onto pavements, soaking pedestrians or cyclists. You could face a hefty fine and between three and nine penalty points if the police believe you were driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.
• Driving fast through standing water can cause expensive damage. The air intake on many cars is low down at the front of the engine bay and it only takes a small quantity of water sucked into the engine to cause serious damage. All engines are affected but turbo-charged and diesel engines are most vulnerable.

As you drive slowly through standing water, use a low gear so the engine rev's are higher; water in the exhaust could otherwise damage the catalytic convertor.

If you break down in heavy rain don't prop the bonnet open while you wait for the patrol to arrive. The engine will be more difficult to start again if the electrics are all rain-soaked.

(24 October 2011)