The arrival of bad weather makes traveling more complicated in the coming months. In this week's DANA in Valencia, there have been dozens of fatalities as people tried to save their cars from a flood of which they were never aware.
Seven people drowned last Tuesday in a garage in a nearby town to Valencia. Some of them had gone down to try to save their cars before they were flooded. The same happened, in this case with two civil guards and one of their girlfriends, at the barracks in the town of Paiporta. Not far from there, a resident of Sedaví perished after several hours clinging to a tree. He had gone to the basement to get his car. He had time to do it, but the flood swept him away when he tried to do the same with a motorcycle. The sad part is that, like hundreds of vehicles and the one that this person had already taken out, ended up floating as if they were tree leaves. And then, destroyed.
The examples we tell you about will pale in comparison when emergency teams can access public or shopping center parking lots that were flooded and where there are feared to be dozens of victims. To them, we must add those who were swept away by the current inside their vehicles.
Cars dragged during last week's floods
In both situations, these people were caught off guard by the violence, speed, and magnitude of floods of which they were never aware. There are many videos that show how, in a few minutes, a situation went from normal to a total catastrophe. But they leave several lessons to be learned in the face of the risk of a similar situation. First: do not use the car unless absolutely necessary. Second: do not try to move forward with it at all costs. Third: abandon it if necessary. It can be replaced, life cannot.
Indeed, the DANA that unleashed its fury since last Tuesday in the Levante area, or the one that occurred months ago in Toledo and Madrid, is an extreme case of bad weather. But it is advisable to be prepared because experts say they will become more frequent. And there are other common and less dangerous phenomena - rain, fog, ice, and snow - that it is advisable to pay attention to and that we will encounter in the coming months. This report is about how to act in front of them to minimize the risk behind the wheel.
According to Civil Protection data, more than 50% of the victims caused in the past by episodes of cold drop (now DANA) occurred inside vehicles dragged by the waters or when trying to escape from them. The one this week in Valencia had a significant urban component, but it can also happen that the flood affects a road you know or a dry riverbed turned into a raging torrent. Since you do not know the real force of the water, nor if it has eroded the bottom making it deeper, do not try to cross it, look for another route, or turn back.
If we end up in the water or it comes as a surprise, as it happened this week, when the level exceeds half of the wheel (about 45 cm), we will lose control of the vehicle, which will be swept away. A higher and heavier 4x4 will withstand more, but also has a limit (between 60 and 75 cm). At that point, it is best to abandon the car. Through the window (the power window may still work for a few moments) or through the door, but always on the opposite side of the current. If you need to break the window and do not have a hammer, the metal anchors on the headrests can be used. Once outside, it is ideal to seek refuge in a high area or a tree. Swim only if necessary. If not feasible, climb onto the roof: it will make it easier for you to be seen and rescued.
For the vehicle, worry just enough... as long as it was insured and up to date with payments. Your company will not compensate you because it does not do so in cases of extraordinary risks, such as a flood. The Compensation Consortium of Insurance takes care of these cases, funded by a small amount deducted from each policy.
To claim we have a two-year period for material damages and it is not necessary to have a declaration of a 'catastrophic zone' in place. The compensations are tax-free and are compatible with other public aids that may be received. Regarding the amount that the Consortium will give us, it cannot exceed in any case the value of the destroyed property and will be based on the insured value.
It is the most common danger we face, without the need for a downpour that fills the road with water pools and can lead to aquaplaning (see information below). In fact, one of the most delicate situations occurs when dirt or leaves on the road mix with the first raindrops, making the pavement very slippery.
With rain, tire grip decreases and braking distance increases, up to 35 meters more starting from a speed of 120 km/h. That is why it is advisable to reduce speed if the downpour intensifies, while increasing the safety distance with the car in front. Tires in good condition will always be the best ally, so if you can opt for winter tires - which perform better when temperatures drop below seven degrees - do so. The problem is that they wear out quickly in warm weather, so they should be removed when the good weather arrives and stored. Depending on where we live, it may be better to opt for all-season tires, which are becoming more common in manufacturers' offerings without a significant price increase.
Regardless of the type of tire, it is essential that they are in good condition, with the correct pressure and sufficient tread depth. A new tire has grooves with a depth of 10 mm, and the legal limit is 1.6 mm, but with three mm, we are already in the low safety range. Also, do not be one of those drivers who have summer tires (the traditional ones) on their car and drive in the rain as fast as in dry conditions, thinking they grip the same. Finally, it is common sense that the windshield wipers and lights are in perfect condition, and use the air conditioning to prevent the windows from fogging up.
These two components require reducing speed and, without overdoing it, driving in a higher gear than usual. And what was mentioned in the previous section about 'alternative' tires or chains makes even more sense here because without one of these elements, we may be prohibited from continuing to drive. With fresh snow, we are freer to choose the route. When there are already tracks from other cars, it is better to follow them.
One of the risks with snowfall is that roads may become congested with vehicles crossing and getting stuck. To prevent this, the Road Safety Commission of the Congress requested months ago that, in these conditions, the left lane be kept clear for emergency vehicles or snowplows. Traffic also agrees, but talks about roads with three or more lanes.
Regarding ice, modern cars warn when the temperature drops to four degrees Celsius or less, as ice patches may be forming. If we encounter one and start to slide, the DGT recommends stopping accelerating and not braking until regaining grip. Although many driving instructors recommend braking. There is unanimity that it is a capricious element. It does not require a horrible day. On the contrary, on a sunny and very cold day, ice patches form easily. Also near bridges or rivers, where there is humidity; and in shady areas and those facing North that receive little sunlight.
It is one of the most stressful situations because, when it is very dense, it barely allows seeing a few meters ahead. It is not surprising that it is the cause of serious chain accidents involving multiple vehicles. The fog can accompany us for kilometers, during which it is advisable to reduce speed; increase the safety distance and use the side markings of the road or the lights of other vehicles ahead as references. That is why it is important to turn on the front and rear fog lights - without forgetting to turn them off later - and not use high beams. We can dazzle others and we will not see better either, as the light beam will bounce off the fog.
OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER
DO YOU CARRY CHAINS IN THE TRUNK With snow or ice, we can get stuck or have an accident if we have conventional tires. This can be avoided with chains, winter tires or 'all season' tires. Both are alternatives to those with a mountain and snowflake pattern.
WARNING OF OUR PRESENCE. If we are stopped on the road, we can signal it with the traditional triangle; or with the V-16 beacon that is placed on the roof and, since 2026, must be connected and the only system allowed. If the car is in a dangerous place, abandon it, but in a safe way.
AQUAPLANING It occurs when there is too much water, the wheels cannot evacuate it and we are left without control (the steering 'floats'). Speed and tires in poor condition or low pressure increase the risk. If it happens to you, keep calm and steer where you want to go, waiting for traction.
WIND It is dangerous with big gusts Windsocks on the road or vegetation will warn you of this. Slow down, keep the steering wheel turned a little to where the wind is blowing (if it is very strong) and watch out when exiting a tunnel or when overtaking and then passing a truck.
PLAN. If you have no choice but to go out on the road, find out your status. The navigators or the social networks of the different organizations can provide this information, which the DGT offers at http://infocar.dgt.es/traffic. Finally, travel with a full tank of fuel, a charged cell phone and warm clothes if necessary.
DO NOT GET IN THE WAY.If an emergency vehicle is coming from behind, stick as far to the right as possible on a two-way road. If there are two lanes in each direction, to the left or right to leave a space in the center. If there are three lanes, the fast lane should be left between the left lane and the middle lane.