MORE than half of all North West drivers would risk their lives in a flood, new figures reveal

A shocking 68 per cent of North West drivers would drive through floodwater. In a survey for the Environment Agency and the AA, the motorists admitted they’d take the risk rather than find a safer route. The AA has rescued more than 14,500 drivers from floods since 2013.

The figures were released as the Environment Agency launches a campaign warning people across the country to be prepared for flooding in advance.

It says driving through floodwater puts the lives of drivers and their passengers on the line, risks the safety of emergency responders, and often causes serious damage to the vehicle, with three-quarters of flood-damaged cars ultimately being written off.

Caroline Douglass, director of incident management and resilience at the Environment Agency, said: “No one should put their own life or those of their friends and family at risk during a flood. Just 30cm of water can float a family car, and smaller cars take even less.”

Vince Crane, AA Patrol of the Year, added: “If the road ahead is flooded, don’t chance it - flood water can be deceptively deep and can mask other hazards on the road.”