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Cars and Water Don't Mix

5 February 1998

Cars and Water Don't Mix

                   AAA's Flood-Weather Driving Safety Tips

    SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 5 -- Driving across roads and bridges
closed by flooding is extremely hazardous and should not be attempted, warns
AAA of Northern California.
    "If you come upon a flood barrier, turn around and go another way," said
AAA spokesman Paul Moreno. "A road or bridge that appears navigable may be
washed out.
    "If your vehicle stalls in a floodwater, abandon it as soon as safely
possible," Moreno said. "Even still floodwaters can rise rapidly, and two feet
of moving water will carry away most cars."
    AAA offers these tips when driving or walking in heavy rains or flood
areas:

    * Watch for debris, like trees. Falling rock and mud slides make mountain
      travel dangerous in heavy rains.
    * Reduce speed when roads are wet or muddy so you can maintain traction
      and safely turn or stop.
    * When driving on wet roads, maintain at least eight seconds of distance
      between you and the vehicle in front of you.
    * If you are having car trouble, turn on your hazard lights and pull
      completely off the road to the right. Light flares or signal for help.
      Stay in your car with your seat belt buckled unless your car is in
      danger of being hit by another vehicle. Carry a cellular phone in case
      you become stranded.
    * If a vehicle has been even partially submerged in water, do not attempt
      to start it before a qualified technician has inspected it. Contact your
      insurance company to determine the extent of coverage before seeking
      repairs.
    * Beware of frightened animals -- especially rattlesnakes. Farm animals,
      pets and wild animals may be desperately fleeing floodwaters.
    * Don't walk through moving water. Moving water can knock people off their
      feet.
    * Watch for and avoid downed electrical wires. Electrocution is a major
      killer in floods, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
      as electric current can travel through water. Report downed power lines
      to the utility company or emergency personnel.

    The AAA affiliate for Northern California, Nevada and Utah serves nearly
four million members with an array of automotive, travel and insurance
services.

SOURCE  AAA