How to drive in flash floods

With heavy rainfall around the country over the last few days, motorists should beware of a suddenly very wet road surface which increases the chances of slipping when braking or steering.

Remember that when driving in wet conditions, stopping distances will increase, and visibility will be reduced, so drop your speed and give yourself more time to slow down.

Road safety group, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) say in cases of severe flooding, you should reconsider making the journey at all. If you must, and you have to drive through deep water, they recommend the following precautions.

* Drive on the highest section of the road and don't set off if a vehicle is approaching you.
* Leave time and space to avoid swamping other cars and pedestrians.
* Drive slowly and keep going once you have started - make sure you have a clear run. In a manual car, keep the revs high by 'slipping the clutch' (which means the clutch is not fully engaged) all the time you are in the water.
* If you can't see where you are going to come out of the water, such as when approaching flooding on a bend, think twice about starting to drive into it.
* In deep water never take your foot off the accelerator as this could allow water to travel up the exhaust pipe.
* Once you are out of the water, dry the brakes before you need them. The best way is to lightly apply the brake as you drive along for a few seconds, after checking that nothing is following you too closely.