What goes through a person's mind in the moments leading up to their decision as to whether to drive through floodwater - that is the focus of a new study being conducted by two universities for the Newcastle branch of the State Emergency Service.
Researchers from the University of NSW and Griffith University are looking for people aged 18 or older, who have their full driver's licence, to take part in phone or internet interviews in the coming weeks as the project draws towards its final recommendations.
Dr Amy Peden, a lecturer and researcher at UNSW's School of Population Health, told the Newcastle Herald that findings and recommendations would be handed to the Newcastle SES unit to help guide their strategy around stopping people driving onto inundated roads. She said similar research had been conducted elsewhere around the nation, but this project was focusing specifically on Newcastle.
Dr Peden said previous research found that there was a range of factors that influenced a driver's decision to go into floodwater, including pressure to be at work, at home with loved ones or at medical appointments, having nowhere to turn around and pressure from drivers behind them to continue into the water.
"We've even had some pretty worrying stories about people who were learning to drive, or were in the vehicle with their parents as young people, and their parents telling them to drive through [floodwater]," she said.
"On the one hand you can be somewhat prepared ... but at the same time you can get caught in a situation and have to make that split second decision.
"Maybe nine times out of 10 it will be safe to [drive through] and people have done it in the past, but you never know the quality of the road underneath the water - you don't need much water and it doesn't need to be moving very quickly to get a car up off the ground. Once the tyres are off the road, you're in real trouble.
"That split second decision can impact their family should something go wrong and put rescuers at risk if they've got to come in and rescue them.
"Basically, drowning is a big issue and the leading cause of death in times of flood and the leading reason for those drownings is often people driving into floodwaters either intentionally or unintentionally."
Dr Peden said researchers wanted to talk to drivers from Newcastle about times they decided to - or not to - drive through floodwater.
She said those who take part in the study will be involved in a 30 to 45 minute chat either on the phone or online about their experiences, in a no-judgement environment. The researchers have already collected quantitative data through surveys and drafted some recommendations, but they want qualitative data before the study wraps up.
Anyone interested in participating can register online and a researcher will get in contact to arrange a time to chat. Study participants will get a $50 Coles-Myer voucher.
