Jun Abe, a director of the Japanese Society for Water Rescue, has identified three signs to help drivers decide when to abandon their vehicles during floods [1].
Early evacuation is critical because submerged vehicles can suffer total engine failure or trap occupants inside, leading to drowning [1], [3].
Heavy rain and typhoons frequently cause road flooding across Japan [2], [3]. When water begins to rise around a vehicle, drivers often face a dilemma regarding whether to stay inside the car or attempt to reach higher ground. Abe said recognizing specific environmental cues is the only way to make a safe decision before the vehicle becomes a trap.
According to the guidelines, there are three specific signs [1] that indicate a driver must immediately exit the vehicle and seek safety. While the specific visual markers were detailed in the guidance, the core objective is to prevent the driver from becoming trapped as water levels rise rapidly.
Failure to exit the vehicle in time can lead to catastrophic results. Once water reaches a certain level, the pressure can make it impossible to open doors, and electrical failures may disable power windows [1], [3].
Abe said the priority must always be the preservation of life over the preservation of the vehicle. The guidance emphasizes that waiting too long to decide often results in the inability to escape once the danger becomes obvious.
“Submerged vehicles can suffer total engine failure or trap occupants inside.”
This guidance addresses a recurring vulnerability in disaster management where drivers overestimate the protection provided by their vehicles. By simplifying the decision-making process into three observable signs, experts aim to reduce 'normalcy bias' — the tendency to believe that since the car is currently floating or moving, it will continue to do so.
