ALMOST a third of Queensland drivers cross floodwaters they know they should avoid.

A third of those motorists are from regional areas and 40% of them are in four-wheel drives.

The most common reason people consider crossing floodwater is they believe their vehicle can handle it.

But a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services online survey has also found the greatest contributing factor to driving through floodwater is local knowledge.

People who "know" how the roads around their home, or town, flood are far more likely to drive through water.

These people believe the "If it's flooded, forget it" safety message is for other people who do not live locally, or are not used to seeing floodwater.

Regional Queensland drivers surveyed ahead of this year's flood safety campaign revealed they became complacent in their attitude towards flooded roads, believing they would always have the knowledge and skill to reach the other side.

Warwick senior firefighter Brett Farrell said the Southern Downs rarely had rescues that were the result of stupidity in floodwaters, rather because water rose so quickly that people became trapped.

But the swiftwater technician reminded people never to drive through water on the road this coming storm season.

"It's never, ever safe to enter floodwater. It's just not worth the risk," he said.

"No matter who you are, no matter what you drive, the moment you decide to push through floodwater, you give up control.

"Floodwater is so dynamic, something might look half decent, but it's just the unknown, you can't see what is under the water.

"Still water can hide a damaged road and obstacles that can trap your vehicle.

"Even shallow water can be powerful enough to catch your tyres and sweep you away in a matter of seconds."

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jo-Ann Miller said a $5 million multiplatform campaign was now being rolled out across Queensland.

She said learning five Queenslanders had died in floodwaters during May's extreme weather event was "a gut-wrenching moment".

"No one in Queensland wants to see a repeat of May's tragedy and it's important for people to understand that when they make a decision to enter floodwaters, they are putting their lives at risk," she said.

- APN NEWSDESK