CAA SCO flood safety tips

TORONTO, July 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Record-setting rains left many roads in the Greater Toronto Area flooded and some motorists stranded yesterday. And with more heavy rain in the forecast, drivers need to be prepared for these situations.

CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) recommends these driving safety tips:

• Do not attempt to drive through standing water. Attempting to drive through flooded streets may cause your engine to stall, your brakes to fail and potentially cause severe damage if you try to restart the engine.
  
  
• Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don't try it.
  
  
• Plan your route to avoid low-lying areas if possible.
  
  
• If you don't have to drive, stay off the roads.
  
  
• If you become stranded and your car stalls call CAA for help. If you feel your safety is at risk, call 9-1-1 immediately. CAA offers 24-hour roadside service, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Drivers can request roadside assistance by phone or online.

Flood waters can potentially damage your vehicle's electrical and exhaust systems, wheel bearings and brakes, as well as, your airbags.

If you have driven through standing water, have a professional inspect your vehicle. CAA can help you find a reliable repair facility.

During severe rainfall, CAA may experience higher than normal call volumes. In these instances, we remind members that those stranded on the roads are our first priority. members may obtain their own road-side service and submit a receipt for a refund to CAA based on their membership. As of this morning, CAA has serviced nearly 4,000 motorists in need of help since the rain began yesterday.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering roadside services, automotive care, travel and insurance. There are more than 1.9 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and over 5.6 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance.

Follow @CAASCO_News on Twitter for regular updates on wait times, other news and information.

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Communications Specialist, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].