Drivers not knowing how to use a ford

davidlizard

Near me there is a stream, through which a road passes over a ford. This has been in use for centuries. This is usually no more than a few inches in depth, and often dry, however after heavy rain it can be 2-3 feet deep, if not more, and fairly fast flowing.

Despite it being obvious when the water is too deep, several times a year some numpty car driver blindly follows her sat nav straight into it, and needs rescuing as a consequence.

Now the council are fed up and rightly concerned that a fatality will happen soon, so have taken a cautious approach and have closed the ford off for the duration of the winter, but its rumoured that it will be closed permanently.

That means those of us who know how and when to use a ford correctly and safely will now have a 7+ mile detour to the shops/school/etc instead of the walkable mile and a half we have now regardless of the water depth.

Azari

Sadly this is typical of council mentality.

Problem caused by a few numpties or low lifes?

Never mind getting to the route of the matter, far easier to just shut it down or close it off.

Hmm71

Davidlizard, how do you use a ford properly? I'm not a driver so I have no idea and I'm often in cars with numpty drivers who are slaves to sat-navs so being forewarned could help me next time I get a lift.

JJG

Hmm71 wrote: »

Davidlizard, how do you use a ford properly? I'm not a driver so I have no idea and I'm often in cars with numpty drivers who are slaves to sat-navs so being forewarned could help me next time I get a lift.

Don't drive into it when it's 3ft deep, but when the water is only a couple of inches deep you'll be fine.

Ectophile

And if it's somewhere between a couple of inches and three feet, then I'd treat it like any other flooded road:-

Select a low gear.
Keep the engine revs up so you don't stall.
Keep moving forward at a decent rate, so the water flows around the car, not through it. But don't go so fast that you get water everywhere.

meritaten

my council seem to have solved most problems like this by labelling most minor roads with 'Ignore Sat Nav'! good idea - keep the numpties on the major road system!

Mindless_Clone

I was going to say, surely a sign to warn road users is all you need? If the council are that bothered, put a fancy one up that flashes no entry/ford closed when the water's more than a foot deep. In today's modern age, you can't tell me that can't make something totally automated that would do that job?

Besides, how difficult is it? If it looks too deep, don't drive through it.

shaun_from_Africa

In today's modern age, you can't tell me that can't make something totally automated that would do that job?

The problem is that in today's modern age, it wouldn't take long for some scrote to simply nick/vandalise the sensors and associated warning lights.

POPPYOSCAR

We have the same problem.

My OH has twice helped people stuck in it.

The firebrigade got so fed up with rescues that they now charge anyone who gets stuck in there.

There is even a sign showing the depth of water and they still try to drive through it.

System

Are fire brigades allowed to charge? It seems a bit unethical. Rather like roman times when they would only put out fires if they were paid by the owner!

POPPYOSCAR

goater78 wrote: »

Are fire brigades allowed to charge? It seems a bit unethical. Rather like roman times when they would only put out fires if they were paid by the owner!

yes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9261609/Calling-out-fire-brigade-will-now-cost-400-per-hour.html