DID IT CHANGE YOUR MIND?

A WELL-KNOWN campaign by the Queensland Government continues to ring bells in minds of motorists across the state, and for good reason.

If It’s Flooded, Forget It was an initiative launched after the 2011 floods to help reduce the number of deaths caused by driving through floodwater.

The campaign has revealed 29 per cent of all Queensland drivers admitted to driving through floodwater. Of these, 36 per cent were males and 22 per cent females. Forty per cent of them were 18-24 years old with 40 per cent four-wheel-drive owners and 33 per cent regional drivers.

According to the State Government, there are three types of motorists who disregard the warnings and drive through flooded roads. 1. THE NOVICE: limited experience of knowledge, driven by desire to get home or get to work. Unaware of the consequences and caught off-guard by floodwater in metro areas. 2. THE CAUTIOUS RISK-TAKER: Sees flooding as part of everyday hinterland and regional life. Will try to avoid, but assesses danger using local knowledge.

Regard themselves as safe drivers.

3. THE RECKLESS RISK-TAKER: Mainly regional, but also four-wheel-drive owners in the city. Will attempt to drive through most of all flooded roads. Full of bravado and stories to tell.

Since the campaign, 82 per cent of Queenslanders recall the message, If It’s Flooded, Forget It and 64 per cent wouldn’t hesitate to say it to others. And 59 per cent said it would stop them driving through all floodwater.

So did it change your mind?