NRMA Insurance is trialling a flood-monitoring device that could stop motorists and pedestrians being swept away and save millions of dollars.

The Australian-made DipStik will continuously measure water levels in flood-prone areas and alerts councils and NSW State Emergency Service (SES) units when floodwater is detected.

It also flashes a high-powered beacon to alert approaching motorists and the local community. 

NRMA Insurance Head of Shared Value Ramana James says the year-long trial will help guide communities, motorists and emergency workers safely through flood events.

“We are encouraging more focus on mitigating risk in our communities, including reducing dangerous behaviours like driving through floodwater,” he said.

NRMA Insurance and University of NSW research shows vehicles can float away in a small amount of floodwater. 

NSW SES spokesman Bill Roffey has praised the new device and hopes it will discourage drivers from entering floodwater.

Volunteers have responded to 31,817 flood and storm jobs and performed 600 flood rescues across NSW in the past year.

“While our volunteers are there to help keep the community safe, the reality is that it is never safe to drive through floodwater,” Mr Roffey said. “By doing so, drivers are not only putting their own lives at risk, but they are also risking the lives of our volunteers.”

The trial involves the NSW SES and six councils, with 18 DipStik devices deployed in western Sydney (Campbelltown, Liverpool) and regional NSW (Shellharbour, Coffs Harbour, Wollondilly and Dungog). The trial will be reviewed in March next year.