"Don't ignore warnings. Don't think you're invincible" that is the message from an AA patrolman who rescued a car from a flooded ford.

Dave Harford, who has worked for the breakdown company for nine years, responded to a call at just gone 11pm on Thursday from a driver who had attempted to drive through a fast-moving flooded ford in Worcestershire.

Because of the dark, the man misjudged the depth and got stuck until Mr Harford, from St John's, Worcester, arrived.

With the wetter weather and winter nights, Mr Harford said these kinds of call outs were all too common and warned drivers that flood water can be highly dangerous.

"I've been an AA Patrol for nine years. Since 2010 I've been trained as a Rescue 3 Swift Water Rescue Technician which enables me to respond safely to vehicles in floods and flood environments.

"At this time of year an all too common call-out we attend is to people stuck in a flood, be it a large puddle or a flowing river ford.

"Entering flowing water in a car potentially puts lives at risk, not only yours but those 999 crews who come to help you if it goes wrong.

"Don't ignore warnings. Don't think you are invincible – no one is. Flood water can be highly dangerous and can change at the blink of an eye.

"Flood advice is given to protect life. Not to annoy you.

"We have the skills to understand what flood water is doing, what it’s telling us.

"Water is powerful, respect it. Don't become a statistic.

"A few minutes’ diversion is better than being swept away."

Advice and information for drivers

· The depth of the water and its flow rate can change very quickly, particularly following heavy rain

· A ford that was safe to cross yesterday may not be today

· If you're unsure, it's safer to find an alternative route rather than risk your vehicle being swept down river

· Don't blindly follow other vehicles or the sat-nav across water – sat-nav knows nothing about the state of the river

· Check the depth gauge and heed any warning signs/lights

· Most fords don't have gates/barriers that can be closed to prevent you trying to cross when the river's impassable

· 30cm (a foot) of flowing water is enough to float the average family car

· 15cm (six inches) of water moving at only 6mph can knock you off your feet

· Just an egg cupful of water sucked into the engine is enough to wreck it

During times of adverse weather, respect the roads. Change your driving style to suit conditions. Don’t rush, be patient and heed advice given.