Wet road safety tips from officials

Following days of rain and more to come, local officials warn to always be prepared before getting out on the roads.

“If you’re going down some of the county roads, especially with low-lying areas and flood prone areas, six inches of water could stall the typical passenger cars,” Administrative Specialist, Caitlyn French, at Warren County Emergency Management explains, “and also a foot of water and two feet of water can float a car away.”

Some areas are more prone to flood than others, but it’s not always so easy to tell until you’re facing the waters head on.

“You’re driving down the highway at forty-five, fifty miles per hour and you hit a spot of water and you could hydroplane, causing you to slide off the road or into another car,” French says.

Sergeant Curtis Hargett with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office also says they see an increase in wrecks once the rain hits the roads.

“We respond to all different sorts of collisions as a response to people driving through swift water or water flooding or pulling,” Hargett explains, “If a vehicle does get moved off of a roadway into a creek or a river, it’s harder for us to get there and offer assistance.”

Be sure to give yourself distance between the car in front of you and slow down when roads are wet.

It’s best to turn around if a road appears to be flooded, and turn into the skid if you find your car is starting to hydroplane—never slam on your brakes.