MISSOURI, USA — A 5 On Your Side viewer found a post on social media explaining what to do if you're car suddenly becomes submerged in water, and she wanted the VERIFY team to figure out whether the information is true.
The post makes numerous claims about how to escape from a submerged vehicle, and left Kelly Albrecht from Ballwin skeptical on whether the post's information was legitimate.
We dug into the facts to VERIFY.
Our sources:
- Corporal Dallas Thompson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol
- AAA
Claim #1:
Don't waste energy trying to push open a car door.
The answer:
Yes, people shouldn't try to push open vehicle doors in a submerged vehicle.
Our sources told us that not only would the change in pressure make it near-impossible for car doors to open underwater, but car doors could also malfunction after a plunge, further complicating escape.
"Seat belts, windows and windshields provide protection for motorists and help secure them within the vehicle in the event of a collision," AAA said in a study published on the topic. "However, in serious crashes such as vehicle fires or submersions, seat belts and doors may malfunction or become stuck due to damage, preventing occupants from being able to exit their vehicle."
Claim #2:
"Do not open the window, the force of the water entering the car will not allow you to get out."
The answer:
This claim is false, and our sources told us people should actually do the opposite.
"As your vehicle first enters the water, the first thing you want to do is roll those windows down," Thompson said. "It's going to take some time for the water to rise to the level to start pouring into the windows."
Rolling down car windows immediately gives people a way to exit the car, a goal that's better sooner than later according to our experts.
Claim #3:
"Take out the head restraint, use the steel sharp tip and break the back window that has kick out glass on it."
The answer:
This claim is inconclusive, as it majorly depends on the kind of car that is submerged.
Some cars have tempered glass which is easier to break. However, newer cars have laminated glass, which is nearly unbreakable unless drivers use a specific tool to break free.
"Vehicle escape tools come in numerous varieties, but AAA suggests avoiding tools with extra features such as lights or chargers since these functions do not improve the performance of the tool itself," AAA said on its website. "Drivers should also remember that in the event their vehicle is submerged, a hammer-style escape tool (as opposed to a spring-loaded-style) will be ineffective underwater, because it would be harder to swing."
Thompson has also never heard of the "kick out glass" that the post mentions.
We can VERIFY: If a car is submerged in water, the driver or occupants should immediately roll down the windows, swim out of the window and get to safety, then call 911.
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