What to do if your car is caught in a flood in Spain

The DGT details what steps drivers should take during heavy rainfall in Spain

In the event of torrential rain, the DGT has made the following recommendations:

• It may seem obvious, but the best piece of advice is to completely avoid driving into a storm or where large bodies of water have already collected. The traffic authorities have recounted countless episodes where drivers believe that their car will manage to get through the flood water, only to end up stranded
• Speed should be reduced and drivers should avoid sudden manoeuvres
• Windows and windscreens should be regularly demisted to maintain good visibility

What to do if caught in a flood

• If a vehicle begins to be dragged by the current, the driver should immediately call emergency services and leave the car as quickly as possible
• If water starts to enter the car, the safest way to escape is through the window. If the window won’t work, the driver must smash the glass with a hard, pointed object (specialised tools for this purpose can be found in most auto shops). Energy should be concentrated on one point of the glass and once it has been cracked, it should be possible to kick out the window
• If the car is already completely flooded, once the glass is breached, the water will rush inside. In this instance, motorists should take a deep breath before breaking the glass and wait for the cabin to completely flood before the equalising pressure allows them to exit safely
• Getting out the door of a flooded car is no easy task, as the water pressure will force the door closed. It is best to wait until the current rolls the car on its side before attempting to open it
• Once outside the car, drivers must remain on the roof of the vehicle until the emergency services arrive