Motorist's attitude on roads

I feel compelled to report an event that occurred recently, which raises a number of issues concerning driving on flooded roads.

Having carefully negotiated the flood on a country road to take our child to school, my partner was on the return journey home.

A hump backed bridge partially obscured the flood and so she slowed and braked early to warn a male motorist who was some distance behind her of the approaching hazard.

She drove in first gear in the centre of the road (where the water was shallowest) whereupon the motorist tailgated her in an intimidating manner through the flood, and she increased speed after the flood.

As she indicated to turn off the road to go home, the motorist felt the need to flash his lights. Beep his horn and flick "V" at her.

My partner's reaction was admirable as she laughed at it with a "what's his problem".

I would like though to make the following points: Would the male driver have behaved the same way if it was a male driver in front of him, risking a "test brake" and possible collision whilst tailgating.

Also I would like to make it known that some vehicles are very prone to taking in water via the engine air intake, with the engine so badly damaged that the insurers refuse to repair them.

If the male motorist wanted to drive faster through flooded areas and risk doing this to his engine, that is his problem, but to intimidate another motorist is deplorable. He should perhaps remember, as every schoolboy knows, that liquids are incompressible.

Name and address supplied