Deep Water Driving: Drive Slow in Deep Water, Not Fast!

The other day, I was driving through Orlando and encountered yet another summer afternoon rainstorm. This is nothing new for us Floridians; however, this particular rainfall was much heavier than usual. I was driving northbound along State Road 436 as the rain came pouring down in heavy buckets. Visibility was extremely low and the water levels on the roads were rising gradually.

So, as I slowed down and tried my best to maintain visibility, I noticed a car about 80 yards ahead. It was a Toyota Celica and it was in the slow lane, stalled and motionless in deep water. Ah, poor guy! Oh well, that's the risk you take when you drive in the slow lane during a heavy rain shower! Don't you know that the slow lanes have the deepest water? Usually roads are slightly slanted downward toward the shoulder for water to drain, so the further to the right you are, the further in water you'll be.

This was unfortunate for this man and it was also unfortunate for us drivers, as there was now one lane blocked, leaving us only two open lanes left. During this time, I was driving in the middle lane, behind a Honda Civic. The person in the Honda was driving a safe speed of about 10MPH, but as we got closer to the flooded Celica, the driver of the Honda noticeably sped up. Apparently, he was afraid he would get stuck in the water, too, so I guess his plan was to drive as fast as he could through the deep water. Wow, what a genius! Is there anyone else that has the same philosophy of speeding up when driving through deep water? If there is, then you need to change your philosophy right away! Sure, this strategy might work through a short stretch of water that is only a couple yards long, but we're talking about a 40 yard stretch of deep water! This water was nearly covering the wheels on the vehicles, so sprinting through the water was not a good idea.

The man in the Honda proved my point, as his car suddenly stopped after about 10 yards. His hazard lights immediately came on and all I could do was smile and chuckle. What a fool! Unfortunately, though, he stalled right next to the Celica, which now meant we had only one open lane on the road. Just what we needed during rush hour!

If only this man knew that driving slow is the only way to go in deep water! The faster you go, the better chance you have of hydroplaning! The key is not to go fast. The key is to maintain traction! Personally, whenever I am in deep water, I lower my gear and drive at a slow and steady pace. I recommend that you all do the same so you don't end up like these two clowns that I witnessed.

Hey, I'm just giving advice. You don't have to listen to me. Go ahead and stomp that gas pedal when you see a long stretch of deep water. Go right ahead! Just be warned, though . . . none of us are going to help you get out of that mess! It's raining, man! You think any of us are going to get out of our cars and walk in that deep water and get soaked just to help out your foolish self? No way! I help people that are hurt. I don't help ignorance.

So you just sit there and wait for the water to settle back down. Let this be a great time to sit back and plant this life lesson into your brain!