Rufford is top spot for flood rescues
More drivers have been rescued from floodwater at the ford in Rufford than anywhere else in the country.
A total of 101 rescues have taken place at the ford at Rufford Lane near Rufford Country Park in the last five years, figures released by the Environment Agency have shown.
The AA has rescued more than 14,500 drivers from floods since 2013.
A survey commissioned by the Environment Agency and the AA showed that two-thirds of drivers (68%) would gamble with their safety by driving through floodwater – even though this is the leading cause of death during a flood.
The Environment Agency has warned that driving through floodwater puts the lives of drivers and their passengers on the line, risks the safety of emergency responders, and often causes serious damage to the vehicle, with three-quarters of flood-damaged cars ultimately being written off.
Caroline Douglass, director of incident management and resilience at the Environment Agency, said: "The results of this survey are extremely concerning – no one should put their own life or those of their friends and family at risk during a flood.
"Just 30cm of water can float a family car, and smaller cars take even less.
"If you’re driving long distances this winter, please check online for any flood warnings in force along your route, and if you find your way blocked by floodwater, never take the risk – turn around and find another way."
Mr Vince Crane, AA's Patrol of the Year, said: "If the road ahead is flooded, don’t chance it - flood water can be deceptively deep and can mask other hazards on the road.
"It only takes an egg-cupful of water to be sucked into your engine to wreck it and on many cars, the engine’s air intake is low down at the front.
"As well as the damage to your car, attempting to drive through flood water puts you and your passengers in danger - so it’s just not worth the risk."
The survey also found that men are more likely to drive through flood water than women and people under 34 are slightly less likely to drive through flood water than those 35 and above.
