"When you look at how many people have got themselves into strife over the past few weeks, it's pretty disappointing." Queensland's unprecedented summer wet season has now claimed 11 lives. Inspector Miller said while the boys probably could not be charged, they showed a lack of common sense that could put themselves and others in danger. "If they have to be rescued, they put the people rescuing them at risk as well when they're pulling these people out of these swollen creeks," he said. "It's really a danger to themselves and anyone who might have to help to assist them."

brisbanetimes.com.au also witnessed drivers ignore warnings at Marshall Road, Rocklea, when they drove across the flooded road despite it being closed. Inspector Miller said there had been too much of that behaviour during the recent wet spell. "I was disappointed to hear on the radio this morning a lady ring up and say she knew it wouldn't be too deep and was able to drive through it - well, how do you know it's not going to be too deep?" he said. "You don't know what might be in the water, either. What dangers lie below the surface, like logs and debris. "It is very disappointing and frustrating for all emergency services that people choose to ignore the warnings and the consequences of it could be quite dire."

RACQ technical researcher Russell Manning said driving into water could also cause some major mechanical problems. "The immediate risk of any car is that the water gets into the brakes and, when you get out of the water, you may not have much in terms of brakes until they've been dried out a bit," he said. Mr Manning said there was also a risk that transmissions could suck in water, which would be "pretty much terminal" for automatic vehicles. "Depending on the design of the car and the height of the water, you could potentially have the engine sucking in the water, which can cause a huge amount of damage," he said. Loading

Mr Manning said it was impossible to judge the depth of water, or see the hazards that may be hidden under the surface. "You might not see the missing bridge under the water, so it should always be avoided," he said.