we get lots of warnings not to drive on flooded road, but folks still do - 2 weeks ago when we had heavy rain & floods along the entire East Coast of Australia over 70 drivers in the Sydney area were rescued from flooded roads & 3 died, despite continual warnings not to enter flood water because of water speed, water strength & possible road surface damage.

A letter to the editor suggested the reasons people keep entering flooded water is car ads showing 4-wheel drive vehicles driving thru creeks etc.

WATER CROSSINGS Your 4WD isn't a boat It amazes us that TV advertising for 4WDs shows them being driven at high speed on beaches, with salt water spraying everywhere. If you drive your new 4WD like that and the dealer finds any trace of salt water under it you can kiss your warranty good-bye. It's called 'driver abuse' – but not, apparently, when the maker's advertising agency does it.

A 4WD isn't a boat, but drive one into deep, fast-flowing water and you can believe you're in one. A fast current has enormous power – more than enough to 'float' a heavy 4WD off a causeway and send it over the edge.