A new survey reveals that 17% of UK drivers, equivalent to 5.8 million cars, would take the risk of driving through floodwater – with men being more likely to make the gamble. This means there is a large number of motorists who could be putting themselves in significant danger when faced with poor conditions.
These findings come from a survey by Go.Compare car insurance, which looked at attitudes towards navigating through floodwater and the hazards involved. The findings highlighted some concerning trends, with a large number of drivers willing to take the risk, despite the obvious dangers.
The survey also found that men and middle-aged groups are the most likely to take this risk. Men are almost twice as likely to attempt driving through floodwater as women, with 22% of male drivers admitting they would make the gamble compared to just 12% of female drivers. Similarly, middle-aged drivers aged 40 to 59 were the most likely group to take the plunge, with a fifth willing to take the risk.
Around 38% of drivers said they would only risk crossing water less than 10cm deep, which are considered to be safe depths. But, 42% said they would be willing to attempt depths between 10cm and 20cm, which can cause loss of control or damage to smaller vehicles.
Alarmingly, 15% would drive through water up to 30cm deep, a level that can lead to severe engine damage, cabin flooding, or vehicles beginning to float. Around one in 20 even stated they would risk depths beyond 30cm, where cars face a significant chance of being swept away.
This means that almost two-thirds (62%) would drive through water that they might think isn’t a flooded road, but is actually unsafe.
Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Driving through floodwater might seem like a harmless shortcut to save time, but it’s one of the riskiest decisions a driver can make. Water as shallow as 10 to 15cm can cause serious damage to a car’s engine and electronics. Deeper water only increases the risks, from cars losing traction and floating to being swept away entirely in severe cases.
“If you encounter a flooded road, the best advice is simple – turn around and find another route. Trying to gauge the depth by sight alone can be misleading, especially in poor weather or low light. And never drive into water where the road isn’t visible beneath the surface – it’s simply not worth the risk.”
Pic: David Calvert/Dreamstime
