With wet weather again expected to continue today and through the weekend senior police from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command are issuing safety tips for drivers.
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Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said that with wet weather continuing, road users need to take extra care.
“We continue to see stupid decisions being made by road users when it’s wet and it is putting lives at risk,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“Take extra care at lights when they are out. Many lights have backup signage, but if they don’t, approach lights slowly, and give way to your right.
“Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads under any circumstances. Make the safe decision to turn around and take a safer route if the bad weather continues.”
The Hawkesbury SES officers were left disappointed at the number of people who ignored road closure signs over the weekend, following flash flooding in some areas.
Due to heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday several roads around the Hawkesbury were closed.
Hawkesbury SES volunteer David King said they witnessed many people drive through flood waters, ignoring signs.
“It’s frustrating for us at the SES when people are ignoring out road closures and driving through flood waters,” Mr King said.
“This puts lives in danger, if a road is flooded forget it find another way around.”
Safety tips for driving in the rain:
- Don’t drive through floodwaters for any reason. No matter what type of car you have, if you can’t see the roadway, don’t risk it.
- Be aware of road conditions in your area and plan your trip accordingly. Check livetraffic.com, bom.gov.au, and ses.nsw.gov.au for the latest information.
- Remember to give way at intersections where lights are out. Some intersections have backup signs, however, if they do not, always give way to your right.
- Leave greater distances between you and the car in front because it takes longer to stop when its wet.
- Drivers and motorcycle riders should use their headlights in heavy rain to be seen by other road users.
