Hi,

Generally I would just avoid them but if you had to go through them due to lack of space on your side of the road and/or unavoidable oncoming cars, whats are the best ways to do it?

Scenarios I can think of are:

1) Cover both sides (more of a small lake), but shallower in the middle, blind or open road.

2) This one is in reference to slightly higher speeds. The deepest part is on the or near apex of corners, blind or open road.

What I would do -

1) Low gear, slow but enough speed to push water away from car. If blind give sound or vision warning. Is it a good thing to do keeping the speed higher than walking pace?

2) Undecided if I would take a later entry in and keep the car straight as approaching the puddle or keep to the middle of the road as much as possible to avoid water as much as possible.

Your thoughts?

White van style... Unless I'd just washed it, then detour...

Its different in a diesel compared to petrol, and knowing the roads helps a lot, knowing the location of drains that could lift etc...

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I thought about this on Christmas Day when I was travelling on the A281 between Guildford and Horsham. The road was covered in huge puddles on corners, and some going across both sides, I just went with instinct and went for the shallow side of the puddle, and if clear to drive on the opposite side. I was following another car, which was lower than mine, so he was testing the depth for me

Equally on that same day, but late evening on the outskirts of Woking, I was driving down a country lane, and the road just disappeared under water, and only a line of hedges each side. I decided to bail, and turned around, and took another road. No road closed signs, but there was a flood sign in the flood itself...

I've general been taught, is if the water is above the kerb, then it is probably too deep, but you can make other observations. I wasn't going to risk it down a country road to be honest.

As advised by our 4x4 Response Group:

If in any doubt, DON'T!

If you have to:

Flowing water over 6" deep is able to move the average saloon car.

Smooth water is probably flowing over a smooth surface; rippled water over rough.

Keep to the shallowest part of the water. On a straight that is probably in the middle. On a bend it is probably on the outside.

Approach slowly and if possible check for depth or obstructions.

Drive in at a slow speed and if in doubt keep the driver's door open. Water approaching the top of the sill is probably the upper limit.

I thought about this on Christmas Day when I was travelling on the A281 between Guildford and Horsham. The road was covered in huge puddles on corners, and some going across both sides, I just went with instinct and went for the shallow side of the puddle, and if clear to drive on the opposite side. I was following another car, which was lower than mine, so he was testing the depth for me

Equally on that same day, but late evening on the outskirts of Woking, I was driving down a country lane, and the road just disappeared under water, and only a line of hedges each side. I decided to bail, and turned around, and took another road. No road closed signs, but there was a flood sign in the flood itself...

I've general been taught, is if the water is above the kerb, then it is probably too deep, but you can make other observations. I wasn't going to risk it down a country road to be honest.

Know the 281 well, the number of potholes is also a killer. Between Bucks Green and Slinfold there's a nursery where it all runs off and is soaking wet even in the middle of summer...

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I thought about this on Christmas Day when I was travelling on the A281 between Guildford and Horsham. The road was covered in huge puddles on corners, and some going across both sides, I just went with instinct and went for the shallow side of the puddle, and if clear to drive on the opposite side. I was following another car, which was lower than mine, so he was testing the depth for me

Equally on that same day, but late evening on the outskirts of Woking, I was driving down a country lane, and the road just disappeared under water, and only a line of hedges each side. I decided to bail, and turned around, and took another road. No road closed signs, but there was a flood sign in the flood itself...

I've general been taught, is if the water is above the kerb, then it is probably too deep, but you can make other observations. I wasn't going to risk it down a country road to be honest.

That was the exact road I was referring to and on xmas day there were lakes after lakes. There was a bend where it was blind corner, oncoming car with an emerging puddle at the same time so default line of travel was around the outside (hugging close to the middle). If there were puddle on the opposite road I think it will be little close for comfort as the opposite car may want to swerve into the centre too. Hence my query of taking a late apex in and if any aquaplane happens the car will be parallel to the road so it can be controlled easier.

As advised by our 4x4 Response Group:

If in any doubt, DON'T!

If you have to:

Flowing water over 6" deep is able to move the average saloon car.

Smooth water is probably flowing over a smooth surface; rippled water over rough.

Keep to the shallowest part of the water. On a straight that is probably in the middle. On a bend it is probably on the outside.

Approach slowly and if possible check for depth or obstructions.

Drive in at a slow speed and if in doubt keep the driver's door open. Water approaching the top of the sill is probably the upper limit.

I think if depths were that deep i'd turn around and find another route if im totally honest. Dont have high ground clearance like a 4x4 and the journey isnt risking the cost of the vehicle.

Which is the sensible thing to do. However, some people aren't sensible..............................

Lots of good advice above. One thing I'd add is seeking co-operation from oncomers (at least those you can see!) can be beneficial and holding a position in the middle of the road, for example, can encourage them to stop and wait for you, which can make the whole hazard more manageable. Bends are a bit more interesting and you're managing the hazard you know about (the water) against the potential hazard (oncoming car). Cross views are useful in looking for clues as to whether someone might be approaching as well as the speed they're approaching. You have to weigh up which presents the biggest risk, but if you're looking at putting yourself in a position where there may be conflict, horn/light warning is definitely worthy of consideration but with the expectation that it's not heard/reacted to and you have to use your escape route.

Even more interesting at night

Think Chris Gilbert (ex-Seargent at Hendon Police Driving School and contributor to Roadcraft) did a section on driving in bad weather conditions on his Ultimate Driving Craft DVD but I couldn't find the clip on Youtube. Well worth a watch if you can find it

Chris

Graham, the OP is talking about puddles, not going through fords or across the Serengeti in the rainy season

Graham, the OP is talking about puddles, not going through fords or across the Serengeti in the rainy season

So, you always know how deep that "puddle" is?? - tell that to the idiots who have downed cars recently.

This includes my nephew in his L200 who followed a Type R through a puddle, which the Type R miraculously survived ('though I think the cautious approach of the Civic vs the bravado of the L200 might have something to do with it!)

Graham, the OP is talking about puddles, not going through fords or across the Serengeti in the rainy season

I know exactly what the OP was talking about and it has nothing directly to do with fords.

He was talking about the "puddles" I have encountered nearly every day this week on my journey to and from work; puddles that completely cross the road, puddles extending the full width of a country lane and are over 400 yds long, puddles that are flowing from field gates carrying detrius and mud.

The advice given by me covers those situations, but would also be applicable to fords as well. It is part of the standard advice for driving in flooded conditions given to us as members of the 4x4 Response Network.

All good advice. What I do and is taught from an AD point of view:

For puddles you can't avoid at high speed then constant throttle and brace for the steering wheel moving. Don't let off or speed up. You need to counter the slowing effect of hitting the water, especially if it's only one side of the car which hits it.

If it's a slow speed puddle or entire road covered that you can't avoid, then slow to a walking pace and drive through. Once clear, apply the brakes gently whilst moving to remove any water, then relase when they start gripping again. If you can avoid, then move around if safe to do so. If not, wait your turn for a safe gap in oncoming traffic.

Recently I hit a massive puddle whilst competing on a Navigation Road Rally. By the time it loomed out of the darkness, I didn't have much chance to scrub much speed off, particularly as the entry to said puddle was muddy. Not much I could do but drop it down a cog, floor it and hold on tight.

The subsequent fountain of water which shot out round the gear stick kept us laughing for a while