Survey reveals 20 million motorists would risk driving through floodwater

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1.36 million male drivers would risk driving through flood water that^s up to knee height ^ just 30cm can move a car.

More than two thirds of UK drivers ^ 20 million in total ^ would still risk an accident by driving through flood water, a new survey has revealed.

Following the wettest winter on record, the Environment Agency and the AA commissioned the new research.

It found the top accident blackspot in the UK is in Newark, Nottinghamshire where a staggering 96 motorists have had to be rescued in the past five years after trying to drive through a flooded ford.

Other locations with large numbers of rescues include Water Gate Lane in Leicester and the ford in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Two years ago a 77-year-old man died at Chew Stoke, Somerset after he tried to drive through a rain-swollen stream in his 4x4. The vehicle was swept downstream and became wedged under a footbridge trapping the driver.

All of the AA^s top 20 flood rescue spots are in England, with 12 located at fords. There have been 21,687 AA flood rescues since 2009. Serious accidents occur each year by drivers taking unnecessary risks and going ahead with a journey despite Environment Agency flood warnings.

The largest number of rescues from flood water on a single day was Christmas Eve 2013 ^ with 642 rescues. The Environment Agency issued more than 450 flood warnings and alerts on the same day.

Drivers are being encouraged to check flood risk information for their entire journey before setting out.

The survey of more than 19,000 AA members, carried out by Populus, also found that:

Twice as many men (equating to 1.36 million drivers) than women (680,000 drivers) would risk driving through flood water that^s up to knee height ^ just 30cm can move a car.

Two in five (44%) members would choose another route in the event of flood warnings. Those in the East Midlands would be most likely to do this (48%), and those in London the least likely to (39%).

Only just over a third of members would turn around and go another way if the road ahead was flooded. Men are more likely to take risks than women ^ 66% of male drivers compared with 54% of female drivers would risk driving through flood water.

^Too many drivers end up putting themselves in danger ^ and potentially those who come to their rescue ^ by taking unnecessary risks during flooding. It can be hard to tell what hazards lie beneath flood water, but more often than not there^s a lot of misery and a much longer delay than a well planned detour,^ said John Curtin, director of incident management and resilience at the Environment Agency.

^We need drivers to check the flood risk for their entire route before they travel. Our flood warning information on GOV.UK is updated every 15 minutes and can help anyone plan a safe journey,^ added Mr Curtin.

Darron Burness, head of the AA^s flood rescue team, said, ^During last winter, which was the wettest on record, we attended around 4,400 flood-related call-outs but many were completely avoidable. Some drivers don^t fully appreciate the dangers posed by flood water. Fords catch a lot of people out. Just because it^s a designated crossing point, don^t assume that it^s always safe to cross ^ the depth of the water and its flow rate can quickly change with the weather.^

He warns, ^Just one foot or 30 centimetres of moving water can float your car, so if you^re at all unsure of the conditions, turn round rather than risk your vehicle being swept down river.^

Cornwall floods leave motorists trapped in vehicles

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Polperro High Street was left under nearly 4ft of water

People were trapped in vehicles and roads were closed as surface water flooding hit parts of Cornwall.

Overnight rainfall caused water to reach heights of 4ft (121cm) in some places on Sunday.

A flood alert was issued by the Environment Agency, who said the main areas of concern were the rivers Camel, Allen and Bodmin Town Leat.

The fire service advised road users to avoid attempting to drive through flood water.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service crews from Launceston, St Austell, Wadebridge and Looe were among those called out to several rescues across the county.

At least six people had to be brought to safety by water rescue teams after becoming trapped in their vehicles, they said.

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Water rescue teams from Bude and Bodmin were deployed

A spokesman from the Environment Agency said all flood defences in the area were holding and no rivers had broken their banks.

He said the flooding was thought to be largely "surface water" caused by blocked drains and heavy rainfall.

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The fire service said it could take as little as 60cm of water to trap a car

The centre photo is a D&SRFS image....I wonder why they thought it necessary to 'pixelate' out the branding on the van?!  Especially when it's clearly a certain hire company!

I've commented somewhere else that the pixelating does nothing to disguise a very obvious brand logo.

The centre photo is a D&SRFS image....I wonder why they thought it necessary to 'pixelate' out the branding on the van?!  Especially when it's clearly a certain hire company!

Presumably Devon & Somerset Rescue & Fire Service? (D&SRFS)?

Or is it actually D&SFRS?

Does this need adding to the abbreviations list? Google has no idea what D&SRFS is and neither do I.

If I remember rightly, if you're involved in a road traffic accident and require an ambulance, you or your insurance will get a bill for said ambulance.

I would hope that these "people" (restraining myself) would get a bill from the fire service to cover to cost of pulling them out rather than coming from my council tax. Anyone who thinks they can drive through three and a half feet of flood water deserve to have their bank account drained.

Ranty rant....

I have a vehicle which is more than capable of safely getting through a metre of water with a very minor modification, do I deserve to have my bank account drained?!

But you cannot see what is under the water.

1) Can you see the edge of the road - you could end up in a ditch
2) The current can be very strong deep water moving at only slow speeds can exert a huge force and wash a vehicle away.
3) Manhole covers may have blown and be invisible - will you be sure that a wheel will not get stuck in an open manhole cover?

I am well aware of the dangers of driving into deep water. The previous poster suggested that I should have my bank account drained simply because I think, and know, I could drive through standing water of a metre or so depth which I find a very odd concept indeed!

On two occasions in the past, I have driven my Mercedes Sprinter van through standing floodwater, because I knew that it would not be more than two feet deep, on those particular stretches of road.

Any deeper than that, and I wouldn't attempt it.  [Image from here is not available to guests]

If you are then fine. Some people do not understand.  I wanted it to be clear.  I was not commenting on the possibility of a fine for trying. 

I drive a Mercedes Sprinter van. Quite robust, high axle height - but frankly rubbish traction, rear wheel drive only.  [Image from here is not available to guests]
Two relevant incidents of note:
1. Flooding on a B road - seeing an oncoming lorry get through the water, I decided I could then do so - but I noted car drivers from both directions were doing U turns to avoid the water hazard - quite rightly;
2. Ford in spate, in the Chew Valley (Somerset) - approaching down a narrow lane with caution, I assessed the situation and decided not to attempt it, but to reverse (somewhat laboriously!) and find an alternative route.

Two more incidents of note this evening:

1. Flooding on Mill Lane, near Wrington (a narrow lane, with warning signs for 'weak bridge') - I know that road, but driving cautiously onward, in the dark, almost before I knew it, I had lost visibility due to the flood water covering my headlamps.  Keeping my head (and forward movement) I managed to exit the hazard - while thinking, that's the last time I'll try that one!  [Image from here is not available to guests]

2. Flooding on another lane, just before joining the A38 (a similar narrow lane, with 'flood' warning triangle signs at the approach) - I have done that one before, but in broad daylight.  This time, in the dark, and with much more water, it was rather more exciting - that's the last time I'll try that one, too!  [Image from here is not available to guests]

Fair play to my Mercedes Sprinter 'what a piece of junk!', though - it got me through and out the other side, twice.  [Image from here is not available to guests]

It’s a disciplinary if we’re found out to have entered flood water for us.

Saying they have rubbish traction is an understatement, but I’ve found a way to improve it, traction control off, use the tiptronic gear box instead of full auto. I also try and keep my late deliveries or a heavy stack of empties over the rear axle for some downforce!

With my employer, it's entirely down to the individual driver's discretion (as far as I know).  In times of severely inclement weather, the only way into parts of Wrington is through some level of floodwater - from whatever direction you approach the village.  [Image from here is not available to guests]

And I wish we had the options you describe: our Mercedes Sprinters are basic 310 manual, no gimmicks like traction control.  [Image from here is not available to guests]

In times of severely inclement weather, the only way into parts of Wrington is through some level of floodwater - from whatever direction you approach the village.  [Image from here is not available to guests]

Essex and Suffolk Water van driver gets stuck in water

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The Essex and Suffolk Water van got stuck in about 4ft (1.2m) of water at Buttsbury Wash near Billericay on Monday afternoon.

A water firm driver ended up having to flee his vehicle after becoming stuck in floodwaters.

The Essex and Suffolk Water van got stuck in about 4ft (1.2m) of water at Buttsbury Ford near Billericay on Monday afternoon.

A spokesman for the water company said it was aware of the incident and said its driver was "OK" following the episode.

Stephen Owens, of Billericay, spotted the van while out cycling in the area.

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The water company said it was aware of the incident and said its driver was 'OK' following the episode

He said the ford was part of his regular cycling route and he told how he had often seen vehicles trapped there over the years. "But I have never seen one like this," he said.

Mr Owens said when he arrived the driver was still trying to get out of the van before asking him to try and help him push it out of the waters. Despite their efforts, the van could not be moved by hand, he said.

It is not yet known whether the driver was on a call-out at the time of the incident.

A company spokesman said: "Thankfully the driver is unharmed and we are making arrangements for the vehicle to be safely recovered as quickly as possible."

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Buttsbury Ford has claimed a number of victims over the years

Somerset farmer rescues lorry driver from flooded road

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A lorry driver has been rescued from his vehicle by tractor after he got stuck driving through flood water.

The driver got stuck on the Godney Road near Wells, Somerset, which had been flooded since Storm Chandra brought rain to the county.

Somerset Council declared a major incident earlier this week and said further flooding was possible, particularly in Moorland, Saltmoor and Currymoor.

Michael Churches, who runs the Godney farm next to the flooded area, said: "We have to put up signs ourselves for our farm and wedding venue, someone who ends up next to the flooded area has nowhere to go." Churches, who also runs the Glastonbury Wedding and Events venue, said he used his tractor to rescue the lorry driver.

"The driver was fine, he didn't realise how flooded the road was," he said. Churches said he will work with a recovery company to remove the lorry from the field once the water levels go down.

Isle of Wight flood warnings as motorists stranded in deep water

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Firefighters were called to help rescue people from three vehicles stuck in deep water in Pondwell Hill, near Ryde

Flood warnings have been issued across the Isle of Wight, with several roads impassable and vehicles stranded following flash flooding.

The Environment Agency (EA) issued an urgent flood warning for Carisbrooke and Hunnyhill on the Lukely Brook in Newport. A second flood warning was put in place just before 19:30 GMT for Blackwater and Newport on the River Medina after 35mm of rain fell earlier and the EA urged residents to "act now".

Flood alerts were also in force for St John's in Ryde, the Eastern Yar, the River Medina and Gurnard Luck. Firefighters were called to help rescue people from three vehicles which became stuck in deep water in Pondwell Hill, near Ryde.

Flooding was being reported extensively across the island on Sunday evening, with people posting on social media that they were having to abandon their vehicles. Homes in Whitwell and Carisbrooke were the among those flooded, according to Facebook posts on the Isle of Wight Community Information Group.

Rain was forecast to continue until 22:00, with river levels and flood risks starting to reduce by 01:00, according to the EA. A flood warning means flooding is expected and people should protect themselves and loved ones, moving to a safe place, along with pets and valuables, it said.

People are advised to move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building and turn off the gas, electricity and water if it is safe to do so. Flood protection equipment should also be put in place.

Posting on Facebook, Isle of Wight Council warned the Newport Quay Arts Centre on the Lukely Brook and the Aquatics Centre at Vicarage Walk were at risk of flooding. Water levels would be "very high" at Caesars Road and Old Westminster Lane, it said, adding the river could burst its banks "flooding roads and parked cars".