Police warn drivers of flooded road dangers ahead of Thursday’s storm
With a storm expected to bring moderate to heavy rain throughout the Coachella Valley on Thursday, local police are warning drivers about the potential for flash floods.
"If you get to an area that appears flooded, don't take a chance. Try to avoid that area," said Lieutenant Gustavo Araiza with the Palm Springs Police Department. It's also important to respect road closure signs. "They're put up there for a reason. It's for everybody's safety. It may be an inconvenience, but taking a little longer on your tip is a better convenience than having to have your vehicle towed out the following day," according to Araiza.
CHP San Gorgonio Pass shared a post on Instagram Wednesday that included driving safety tips for drivers. Along with the information, the agency shared images of patrol vehicles "that were decommissioned after they were struck by vehicles that were being driven unsafely during inclement weather," according to the post.
There are several steps drivers are advised to take ahead of time to ensure their safety on the roads.
- Maintain safe following distances: Keeping a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front of you gives you more time to react if sudden stops occur.
- Check your tires regularly: Ensure your tires have proper tread depth to provide adequate traction on wet and slippery roads.
- Reduce your speed: Slowing down during bad weather is essential for safe driving. Higher speeds make it harder to stop and increase the risk of hydroplaning.
- Plan ahead: Ensure you allow yourself sufficient travel time to reach your destination safely, taking into account roadways may be wet and flooded, and slower moving traffic.
Watch News Channel 3 at 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. tonight for the full report.
