Turn around, don't drown: Water on roads a killer during hurricane season

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has a life-saving message: “Turn Around; Don’t Drown.” This slogan is especially important after a hurricane, when floodwaters linger long after the wind and waves subside.

The deceptive calm that follows a storm often tempts residents to venture out and assess the damage.

However, most hurricane deaths and injuries happen inland, when people attempt to drive through flooded roads.

Even a shallow amount of water can be dangerous. Dirty floodwater can hide washed-out sections of road, making depth perception difficult.

Additionally, strong currents can easily sweep away any vehicle, jeopardizing not only the driver but also rescuers.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation offered these tips for driving in wet weather:

• Avoid driving through flooded areas, even if they seem shallow. Just one foot of water can float many vehicles, while two feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and pick-ups.
• After driving through a puddle, tap your brake pedal to help dry your brake rotors.
• If your car starts to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas, apply the brakes in a steady, slightly firm manner without stomping and steer in the direction of the skid. If you have a manual transmission, push in the clutch and let the car slow down on its own.
• If the rain is extremely heavy, pull over in a safe area in a parking lot or on the roadside with your emergency flashers on, away from any trees or other tall objects, and wait for the weather to improve.
• Allow more travel time.
• Turn on your low beam headlights and use the defroster to increase visibility.
• If possible, stay in the middle lane where the road tends to be higher.
• Reduce your speed by at least five to 10 miles per hour and allow at least twice the normal following distance.
• Signal for turns ahead of time and brake early as you near a stop. Remember, roads are slickest in the first 10 to 15 minutes, especially if it has not rained for a while.
• If a traffic signal is knocked out by a storm, regard the intersection as a four-way stop. If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the car to the right has the right of way and after signaling, may move in any direction. If two facing vehicles approach the intersection at the same time, any car traveling straight ahead or turning right has the right of way.