What to Do if Your Allentown Toyota is Submerged in Water

Aug 5, 2014

One of the most terrifying thoughts is the idea of being stuck in your car when it is submerged in water. There are a number of instances that may result in your vehicle becoming immersed in water. More than 11,000 accidents involve water, and 300 people a year drown in their own vehicles. Allentown Toyota explains what you should do if your car is submerged in water.

Five Tips for Escape

Although emergency personnel is trained in rescue operations that involve flooded and sinking cars, life or death also depends on the driver’s response. Driver should always have a plan for escape.

1.      Stay calm
Do not panic. Stay calm because you need a clear head to make life-saving decisions.
2.      Unbuckle
As soon as you enter the water, take off your seat belt.
3.      Begin rolling down the window
Once your seatbelt is off, start rolling down the window right away. Electric windows are designed to withstand water for a little while, but you need to hurry up and get them down. If the windshield shatters, use the windshield as an escape route. Use any shattered glass as an opportunity for escape.
4.      Open the door when submerged
If you are unable to open the window, or the glass does not shatter, wait until the water level has risen inside of the vehicle so the pressure equalizes. You should have the ability to open the door when submerged.
5.      Get out
Get any children out first and push them through the escape routes. Once the children are safely out, follow them to the surface of the water.