Hydroplaning: What Is It and How You Can Avoid It?

During the rainy seasons, drivers are warned to slow down and be careful when driving on wet roads to avoid unnecessary collisions and accidents. Many of the mishaps brought about by such road conditions is caused by a phenomenon called hydroplaning.

So what is Hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is what happens when a tire loses contact with the road because it can’t evacuate the rainwater as well as it should, and the result is that you lose control of your vehicle. Some of the main causes of hydroplaning are narrow tires, worn tires, and over speeding. It can happen during light or heavy rain, with potentially disastrous results. As a driver, you need to make every effort to avoid it. Here’s what you need to do:

Keep Your Speed at Manageable Levels. The moment it starts to rain, reduce your speed to under 50 kilometers per hour. Anything over than that and you increase your risk of hydroplaning. Avoid sudden accelerations, and do not attempt to overtake other vehicles.

Keep Your Tires in Tiptop Shape. Keeping your tires well-balanced, properly inflated and in good condition is the best way to avoid hydroplaning. Your tires actually have tread wear indicators that tell you when to replace your tires. Once the wear on your tires reach the level of these indicators, it’s time to replace. Also, monitor the pressure in your tires at least once a week. Keeping your tires properly inflated will enhance their grip, not to mention prolong their lifespan.

Turn Off Cruise Control. If your car has a cruise control feature, make sure to turn it off once you observe thick water droplets on your windshield. With the cruise control on, you’ll have a hard time regaining control of the vehicle if your vehicle starts hydroplaning.

Avoid Long Puddles. When it comes to hydroplaning, long stretches of water puddles are your biggest enemy on the road. This is because the water in that puddle has depth, and if you hit it too fast, your tires will keep rotating without actually touching the road, and you can possibly skid uncontrollably. So the next time you see a lengthy water puddle, reduce your speed.

*Primary photo courtesy of Valley Driving School