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This post was last edited by cflt111 on 2016-9-7 at 22:59. What to do in areas with standing water? Learn these tips to get home safely. Slow down or stop and observe. First of all, you should slow down or stop and observe. As long as the water level reaches two-thirds of the bumper or tires, driving through water becomes somewhat dangerous. Higher speeds increase the actual depth to which the car submerges, allowing rainwater to enter the cabin from the engine compartment or the chassis. At the same time, drivers should avoid traveling against the wind in front of larger vehicles. If the vehicle owner observes that the water level is high, they should try to take an alternative route and avoid attempting to pass through forcefully. Turn on the wipers in advance and enter the water slowly. It is very important to turn on the wipers ahead of time before deciding to drive over a road covered with water. Although we were able to roughly estimate the depth of the water through observation earlier, the road conditions remain unclear. Once a car enters the water, the large splashes generated are likely to cover the front windshield entirely, thereby affecting the driver’s visibility, especially since they are already not familiar with the road conditions. Turning on the wipers in advance ensures a relatively clear view, helping the vehicle to safely pass over waterlogged roads. Keep the throttle steady and drive at a constant speed in low gears. When driving on roads covered with water, it is important to ensure that the vehicle has a stable and strong power source, so that there is always pressurized gas in the exhaust pipe, preventing water from flowing back into it and causing the engine to stall. While driving, the driver should try to maintain a steady speed in a low gear, avoiding stops, gear changes, and sudden steering movements. When you are not sure about the road conditions, it is best to wait in place for vehicles with a higher chassis, observe how the vehicles ahead navigate through the waterlogged roads, and then follow in their path for greater safety. Avoid having multiple vehicles enter the water one after another, to prevent any malfunction in the lead vehicle from affecting the normal operation of those following. When driving on wet roads, try not to release the accelerator pedal, as this helps prevent water from flowing back into the exhaust system. Avoid pedestrians to ensure safety. Due to pedestrians using umbrellas in the rain and cyclists wearing raincoats, their vision, hearing, and reaction abilities are limited. Sometimes they cross the road suddenly in an attempt to get somewhere faster; when a vehicle approaches, they panic and take urgent evasive actions, catching drivers by surprise. In such situations, drivers should slow down, honk the horn frequently, and be patient when giving way; if necessary, they can stop in a safe location. They must not rush to pass pedestrians and cyclists in order to avoid hitting them. If the engine stalls, never try to restart it by force. If, while driving on a road covered with water, an error is made due to unfamiliarity with the road conditions and the vehicle stalls, the driver should not attempt to restart it again by force. If ignition is attempted when water has entered the cylinder, it is very likely to cause deformation of important components such as the engine crankshaft and connecting rods, resulting in engine vibration; in severe cases, these components may even break. The correct approach is to wait for rescue in place, especially for vehicles with drum brakes, as otherwise the vehicle will lose its braking ability when driving through water, leading to serious danger or accidents. The specific procedure is to drive at a low speed while pressing the accelerator and lightly pressing the brake; drivers who cannot use both pedals simultaneously can press the brake several times, making sure to keep the vehicle’s speed low at all times. Repeatedly, friction between the brake drum and the brake pads generates heat energy, which is used to evaporate and remove moisture. This is because water entering the engine is a very serious problem; water can enter through the air filter, via the intake valves, and then into the engine cylinder. Under no circumstances should you try to start the engine at this point; the driver must turn off the engine, put it in neutral, and tow the vehicle to a repair shop for cleaning. Summary: Cyclists and pedestrians should also be cautious of areas with standing water; don’t assume this article is meant only to warn car drivers. Due to water accumulation on the roads, the manhole covers that are not securely fixed can be lifted, and cyclists or pedestrians who are not careful may easily fall in, putting their lives at risk. When there is water on road surfaces where people are walking, such as at bus stops, we should slow down to prevent splashing water on pedestrians; this is also a criterion for assessing whether a driver is considerate and has good moral character. Finally, we advise all drivers not to drive through water recklessly. Wishing everyone a safe and pleasant journey.