SG Singapore Driver
Knowledge base Road rules 7 min read

Driving in adverse weather: rain, wind, and floods

Official guidance for heavy rain, strong winds on open highways, avoiding flooded roads, responding to water around a stalled car, and checking brakes after leaving floodwater.

heavy-rain strong-winds flash-flood flood-safety PUB

Primary source: https://www.pub.gov.sg/Public/KeyInitiatives/Get-Flood-Wise/Flood-Safety-Tips

PUB advises motorists to follow its flood-alert channels and plan routes to avoid flooded areas. PUB’s Flood Safety Tips page points users to its Flood Alerts Telegram channel and the myENV app for flood alerts and real-time environmental information (PUB, Flood Safety Tips). The 2026 SCDF Civil Defence Emergency Handbook also advises motorists to tune in to local radio networks for traffic and situation updates and to follow PUB alerts when adjusting their route (SCDF, Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, 10th edition, “Floods”).

Heavy rain and wet roads

SPF’s Final Theory of Driving handbook advises reducing speed to manoeuvre safely, not driving beyond the distance that can be seen clearly, turning on headlights and the demister, and using a faster windscreen-wiper speed in heavy rain. If visibility is too poor to see clearly, the handbook says to move to a safe spot, stop at the side of the road with hazard lights on, and continue when conditions are favourable (SPF, Final Theory of Driving handbook, para. 177).

The handbook states that on a wet road, stopping distance may increase to about twice that on a dry road, and warns that hard braking that locks the wheels can cause a skid or spin. It also explains that aquaplaning can occur when surface water builds up under tyres as speed increases, reducing steering control and braking efficiency; its advice is to slow down (SPF, Final Theory of Driving handbook, paras. 178–180).

Strong winds

SPF's Final Theory of Driving handbook warns that open highways are usually exposed to strong winds. To reduce the risk of being forced into the path of other traffic, it advises slowing down and driving cautiously (SPF, Final Theory of Driving handbook, para. 185).

Avoid flooded roads

PUB says to avoid driving through a flooded area if the water is above road-kerb height or road markings are no longer visible. SCDF’s 2026 Civil Defence Emergency Handbook repeats this threshold and advises motorists to follow PUB flood alerts and local radio updates when adjusting their route (PUB, Flood Safety Tips; SCDF, Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, 10th edition, “Floods”). LTA’s OneMotoring service publishes live traffic updates, road closures and road works; its closure notices may give alternative routes and tell motorists to follow traffic signs on site (LTA, Traffic Updates, Road Closures & Road Works).

The legal consequences depend on what kind of closure or barrier is in place; the statutes do not establish a single penalty for driving around every flood barricade. Under the Police Force Act, a police officer may erect a road barrier for law-and-order or crime-prevention purposes. A displayed warning sign for a barrier erected under that section is treated as an order to stop and remain stationary; disobeying that order is an offence punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to 7 years, or both (Singapore Statutes Online, Police Force Act 2004, s. 26). Separately, the Road Traffic Act makes it an offence to disobey a uniformed officer’s or authorised employee’s traffic direction, or a lawfully placed traffic sign; where no special penalty applies, its default maximum is a $1,000 fine or 3 months’ imprisonment, or both for a first offence, and a $2,000 fine or 6 months’ imprisonment, or both for a later offence (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, ss. 120 and 131; Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 131). LTA may also restrict or prohibit traffic because of road works or an immediate likelihood of danger to the public or serious road damage; using a vehicle contrary to a restriction imposed under section 115 is an offence (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 115). These provisions should not be read as attaching the Police Force Act penalty to a flood barricade unless its statutory conditions apply.

If a flooded area is unavoidable and assessed to be passable, PUB advises driving slowly and steadily, avoiding braking to keep engine speed higher and constant, staying near the middle lane because water tends to accumulate in side lanes, and proceeding through the floodwater one vehicle at a time (PUB, Flood Safety Tips). SPF’s Final Theory handbook separately advises engaging a lower gear on a flooded road that is passable, and warns that flood depth can be deceptive at night; if in doubt, take an alternative route (SPF, Final Theory of Driving handbook, paras. 181, 184).

If a car stalls in floodwater

If floodwater rises around the car and it stalls, PUB says do not restart the vehicle. Turn on the hazard lights, call for assistance, and move to higher ground. SCDF’s 2026 handbook likewise says not to restart a stalled vehicle in rapidly rising water, and specifies calling 995 or 999 for assistance (PUB, Flood Safety Tips; SCDF, Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, 10th edition, “Floods”).

If leaving the vehicle requires walking through water, PUB and SCDF advise against walking through moving water above ankle height. If walking through water is unavoidable, use a stick to check the ground ahead and try to walk through stagnant water (PUB, Flood Safety Tips; SCDF, Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, 10th edition, “Floods”).

After exiting floodwater, PUB advises gently tapping the brakes to dry them and testing the brakes before driving off (PUB, Flood Safety Tips).

When driving through puddles, SPF’s current Final Theory of Driving handbook says to slow down to avoid splashing nearby pedestrians (SPF, Final Theory of Driving handbook, para. 243).

Coverage debt

  • The current SCDF handbook gives flood-route and stalled-vehicle advice but does not state a general rule about driving around every type of barricade. The legal effect depends on the barrier, sign or traffic direction involved; the specific Police Force Act and Road Traffic Act provisions above should not be generalized to other barriers.

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