WATERSLIDE EDITION

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THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW 6-1-12
WATERSLIDE EDITION
It doesn’t look dangerous—the water isn’t even that deep: http://www.streetfire.net/video/man-dragged-by-the-flood-while-helping-a-women-in-car_2386960.htm But this video is a not-so-subtle reminder that a flooded street is no place to drive, let alone walk.
According to Autoblog.com, it takes only two feet of moving water to move a car and only six inches to move a human.  Either way, it’s not much.
Many drivers don’t realize that their cars are mostly water-tight.  The passenger compartment acts as a giant air bubble, making a vehicle buoyant for a short time.  All you need is for some water to get up under the car and off you go.  Where you’ll stop, nobody knows.
In this particular video, the driver had plenty of chances to get out of the car and remover herself and the bystanders trying to help from danger.  She didn’t and others paid the price.
While this video was obviously shot in a foreign country, the danger is just as real here in the U.S., especially with hurricane season starting today.  Therefore, as a reminder to my fellow drivers, I’d like to take this opportunity to provide some tips when dealing with a flooding situation:

•  Do not drive on a flooded street even if you think you know the street well

• If you find yourself in a flooded situation, roll down your windows and get on top of your car right away.

• Your doors will not likely be able to open if the flood waters are too high due to the outward pressure.

• Keep a Life Hammer or similar glass breaking tool in your glove box at all times.  You never know when you will need it.

• Don’t assume that just because you have an SUV that is higher than other vehicles that it will traverse the flooded street.  It could very well float away just as easily.

• If you absolutely need to be somewhere, use a GPS unit to find an alternate route. 

• Last but certainly not least—do not step into the moving water.  Use your cell phone to call 911 if you or someone else is stranded.  

Do you have any flooded driving stories or advice? 
Post your comments at  http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/



My Final Thought
This is just fantastic: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/31/shelby-fans-around-the-globe-give-tribute-with-moment-of-noise/#continued
Carroll Shelby wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. 
Hopefully he heard it from the great race track in the sky.



See you next week!  Love Your Car! --Lauren Fix