Released April 10, 2008

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Many Americans still believe the size and weight of their vehicle is enough to withstand the force when water starts flowing in a low-water crossing.

As a result, Americans are still dying.

These crossings are on normally passable roads, and that can give drivers a false sense of security, said Mary Knapp, State of Kansas climatologist, based with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

"When the rainwater in that dip, dry stream or other drainage area reaches just 6 inches deep, it can take the control of your vehicle away from you. If you drive too fast, even less water will make your car hydroplane," Knapp said.

Many Americans also believe that flooded low-water crossings are mostly a hazard at night.

"Visibility can be a problem," she said. "But fatality statistics show that daytime is as much, if not more risky than nighttime. Perhaps the ability to see makes people over-confident."

Even during the daytime, being able to assess the condition of the road under the water is likely to be impossible, Knapp said. And, flooding can scour or even wash away roadbeds, making the surface unsafe for driving.

"We all need to pay attention to the slogan `Turn around, don´t drown,´" she said.

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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/

Contact: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu