More than half of drivers (55%) said they weren’t concerned about potential flooding in their area in the week before Storm Bert caused flooding and storm chaos across the UK.
The poll, carried out by the AA, also found that 57% of drivers said they weren’t worried about the prospect of flooding in Wales, again hard hit by flooding last weekend.
The AA survey of more than 11,000 drivers found that a third (36%) felt confident that there are sufficient flood defences to protect local roads.
This rises to around half for A-roads and motorways but falling to just over a fifth (23%) for local roads.
Percentage of people ‘not worried at all’ at the prospect of flooding by region
| Northern Ireland | 63% |
| London | 62% |
| Yorkshire & Humberside | 60% |
| Scotland | 60% |
| North East | 60% |
| Wales | 57% |
| North West | 57% |
| South East | 55% |
| West Midlands | 51% |
| Eastern | 50% |
| South West | 50% |
| East Midlands | 49% |
With more than 100 flood warnings still in place across England and Wales following heavy rainfall from Storm Bert, the AA is advising drivers to be careful when driving through standing water, and to check routes before setting off to avoid getting caught out.
Earlier this year, the Met Office warned ministers and the flood resilience taskforce that there was an increased likelihood of floods this autumn and winter.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “The randomness of torrential rainfall leading to flood damage perhaps leads people to hope against hope that they are not the next victims. However, particularly with driving, torrential rainfall can be dangerous wherever people travel, not just in areas prone to flooding.
“The images of severely flooded roads only serve as a reminder of the dangers that floods can cause in the moment. There are also long-term consequences of flooding, especially on local and rural roads where the water can damage road surfaces and the infrastructure lying underneath them.”
AA advice to drivers in rainfall includes to check the route before setting off, remain wary of standing water, and leave a bigger gap than usual between yourself and the vehicle in front.
