The facts about crossing fords
Published 10 November 2026
Last updated 10 November 2026
In this blog we’ll look at how to cross fords safely.
Picture this: you’re driving along a country road in wet weather. As you round a corner you see a triangular warning sign telling you that there’s a ford ahead. No problem you think, it’s been raining quite heavily all morning, but you’re not going to let a bit of water get in the way.
As the ford comes into view, you realise that the water looks deeper than expected and it’s flowing very quickly over the road. You do not really want to turn round and find another route, but you’re not sure you’ll make to the other side…what do you do?
Before we explore the answer, let’s define what a ford is.
A ford is a place where a water course (river or a stream) crosses a road. Not all fords are the same – some are shallow (watersplashes) whereas others are much deeper all year round. All fords should have warning signs and they look like this:
So far so good. Going back to our story, though, what should you do next?
Rain of terror
First of all, let’s wind back a step and think about the weather conditions. It’s been raining heavily all morning, which gives you a clue about what to expect as you approach the ford. You could consider finding an alternative route before you reach the water’s edge. After all, it’s better to arrive at your destination than put yourself at risk – even if it makes you late.
Test the water
Let’s say you decide to continue to the ford. You stop in a safe place before you cross and check for a depth gauge (a post in the water that shows the water level) and use it to judge whether it’s safe to continue. You can check your vehicle handbook for your vehicle’s maximum wading depth.
If you cannot see a depth gauge or any other physical marker, stopping in a safe location and checking the water level is still recommended. Look for other clues, such as the road dipping on either side of the ford. This usually indicates that the deepest water is where the 2 slopes meet at the bottom of the dip. In our story, the water’s deep and flowing quickly, but in the real world, it might not be so easy to tell if it’s safe or not. If you have any doubts at all, find another route.
In our story, you look at the flow of the water and notice the speed it’s moving. You’re worried that current might push your vehicle off course and into the railings at the side of the ford.
You decide to turn round.
Cry me a river
The good news is that you checked the depth gauge and the speed of the water and decided to find another route rather than risk crossing the ford. Suppose you’d ignored the evidence, though - what could possibly have gone wrong?
Well, quite a bit. If the water level was high enough, it might have flooded the engine or ruined the electrics, causing significant damage. You would not have been able to drive on, increasing the risk of becoming stranded in deep water. The current might also have moved your car, posing further risks to your safety and the safety of other road users.
(Do not) go with the flow
It’s also important to think about what you could not see as much as what you could. The high water might have been hiding potholes and debris – all of which had the potential to damage your vehicle.
Slippery when wet
In our story, the water in the ford was deep and fast-moving. In real life, the level of water in the ford is dependent on the type of crossing, the weather and the time of the year. Even if the water level is low, you should still check that you can cross safely.
If you do decide to cross, drive slowly through the water, making sure you do not create a bow wave. If you have manual transmission, stay in first gear, but keep the revs high and steady by slipping the clutch (holding the clutch pedal partially down). If the engine speed is too low, water might flood the exhaust and your engine might stall. Do not be tempted to sharply increase speed as you leave the ford, as the road is liable to be wet and slippery which increases the risks of losing control.
Remember to test your brakes after you cross – after you’ve checked your mirrors to make sure it’s safe!
Stream of data
You might think you can avoid all this hassle by using your sat-nav, and in a sense you’re right. A sat-nav can help you plan an alternative route, but it will not warn you that a ford is coming up. If you’re driving somewhere unfamiliar and do not know the route, it’s easy to be caught out before you realise there’s water ahead. If that happens, use the advice in this blog to make safety first decisions. In short, never be afraid to turn round and go another way.
Splash out
Well, we may have reached the end of this blog, but there’s plenty more to learn about all-weather driving. Head over to the Safe Driving for Life Shop and pick up a copy of The Official DVSA Guide to Driving - the essential skills. It’s packed with practical advice to help you stay safe on the road in all conditions.
So, go head and dive in…can you afford not to? I’ll get my (rain) coat…