A caravan became submerged in flood waters after reportedly ignoring a road closure sign in the west of New South Wales.
And police are now losing patience with those who ignore safety warnings and potentially put themselves, and those who seek to rescue them, at risk.
The vehicle towing the van was occupied by a 64-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman who got bogged on Tilpa Road, Tilpa, when police were called. They were towed free by locals, then got bogged again later near Wilcannia the same day after disobeying multiple road signs. They were fined $272 for Disobey Road Access Sign.
Officers from Barrier Police District were told the vehicle had proceeded through approximately six bodies of flood water on West Tilpa Road before becoming submerged.
There has been widespread flooding in parts of NSW. PIC: Pexels
Western Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, was not impressed.
“Remarkably, since this incident, another vehicle towing a caravan became submerged in the flood waters on West Tilpa Road,” he said. “The occupants have also been rescued and issued infringement notices for disobeying the road closure.
Motorists are reminded not to drive into any roadways that are covered by water due to the dangers of becoming trapped.
“I cannot stress enough of the inherent dangers faced by drivers thinking they can cross a flooded road – if it’s flooded, forget it,” Assistant Commissioner Greentree said. “Emergency resources in flood-affected areas are already busy enough dealing with real-time emergencies – in this case, we had first responders having to divert from other duties to deal with a situation that could have been easily avoided and which could have ended tragically for those involved.”
Just like doubling fines for speeding in roadworks zones perhaps it should be triple fines for anyone needing rescue after disobeying signs
Anyone who travels along that Darling River road in wet weather is a total idiot.
Some retirees think that just because they own a 4X4 & an ”off road” caravan they are indestructible.
A 4 digit fine would have been more appropriate.
a fine should be introduced for stupidity and I hope the insurance doesn’t cover their costs
The Americans have an apt saying “you can’t cure stupid”
Certainly applies in these cases
I say if they decide to disobey the ROAD CLOSURE SINGS then so be it on their Heads the Police and Emengency Services should let them know they are on the list and help will get to them A.S.A.P.
Your call is important to us, we will get back to you as soon as possible….beep,beep,beep
Ref Malcomb’s Commen t about Insurance may NOT cover their costs, this is only TOO TRUE, if you Break a ROAD RULE ETC like this or OVER LOAD etc THEN YOUR INSURANCE IS NULL AND VOID
DUMB. DUMMER AND DUMMIST.
Throw the book at these stupid idiots including costs.
Ignorance is no excuse.
If you hold a licence to drive you can obviously read plain English.
OBEY THE B####Y SIGNS OR ELSE.
SORRY FOR THE RANT
THIS MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL
Could not agree more, that is not a rant it is a fact. These idiots have no regard for anybody but themselves. Let them walk out.
So selfish … no thoughts of the safety of those who have to come to their rescue. How arrogant some people are !
Absolute idiots who deserve to have their insurance company refuse any claim they make,
Duct tape will fix most things but certainly not stupidity
Wake up or get off the road you are a serious danger to others
It really makes me mad when I read about these idiots who will not be told because they think they know better. I can remember a case many years ago when one of these idiots got stuck in flood water down near Ingleburn. After his car was pulled out with the caravan still attached he became angry because the towing chain had scratched and dented his shiny new bumper bar. It a wasn’t till the police intervened and issued him with a summons to appear for swearing at the tow truck driver that he shut up. The Policeman told him he had the common sense and brains of a “kumquat” to risk his and his wife lives in flood waters the way he did. The real wonder of it all was there was a depth indicator sign near the road and it showed the depth of the water at 1 meter 300cm. But he didn’t think it was accurate.
Yea, a common personality disfunction. A sense of superiority and entitlement. Consider that many of these divers come from a life of city comfort with little restriction, then fire off into the dry yonder with impunity. Only it’s not always dry, and some can’t be told.
Some years ago I was travelling the centre at a time of various rain falls and sunny moments giving a road that was variously open or closed depending on the moment. Trucks would wait at the road block gate for confirmation of condition from the grader driver. That was if the grader hadn’t got stuck, which added a few more hours to the wait. It was well known you could go if you wanted to but if caught there was a $1000 per wheel fine. Funnily enough this seemed to have the desired effect. Why not now??
I can’t believe that people still do these stupid things, I can understand why the police and SES get so frustrated with these people, signs are there for a reason
Newbies see the 4wd shows on tv and adverts showing 4WDS plowing through water and mud and think “if they can do it I surely can!”