Hydroplaning is a condition where the tires lose grip on the road surface due to water being dispensed from the tire’s surface. This can cause your car to skid and potentially lead to an accident. To prevent hydroplaning, make sure your tires have grooves that disperse water and are at an average speed of 80kmph or more. ..
Common Causes of Hydroplaning
Ways to Prevent Hydroplaning
If you are a new driver, avoid driving on wet roads as much as possible. Always check your car’s tires, tread depth, and if they’re not worn out. Regularly interchanging your tires will help to avoid putting too much pressure on one particular tire. When driving on wet roads, avoid big pools that form from holes in the road surface. Do not drive at high speed on wet roads - the ideal speed is below 65 km/h or 40 mph. Follow the tire paths of vehicles ahead of you and do not follow them too closely; they also stand at risk of experiencing hydroplaning. Do not use your brakes suddenly or take sharp turns without slowing down; drifting on wet roads can lead to hydroplaning. Have your headlights on when driving in wet conditions so you can see pools of water ahead and be prepared to brake if necessary. Make sure your tires are inflated before setting out and do not turn on cruise control when the road is wet - this makes the vehicle’s tires spin faster and increases the risk of experiencing hydroplaning. Avoid driving in service lanes when the road is wet; service lanes are closer to drainage areas, which can overwhelm a car’s traction in watery conditions ..
How to handle hydroplaning?
Use your head: If you’re hydroplaning and see a large object in your path, don’t try to avoid it. Instead, use your head to figure out a way to go around it.
Stay alert: Keep your eyes open for other drivers, obstacles in the road, or any other possible danger. If something looks wrong, don’t hesitate to pull over and take action. ..
Use your brakes sparingly and only when absolutely necessary: When you use your brakes, be sure to use them sparingly. Do not try to use them too much, or you may end up with the car going too fast and crashing.
When hydroplaning, it is important to control your wheel towards the direction of the hydroplaning. While your vehicle hydroplanes towards a direction, do not immediately steer in the opposite direction as this may send the car spinning. Try steering towards the direction of the hydroplaning while carefully and slowly changing the direction back to the road path as you desire.
After your vehicle gains traction, pull over and compose yourself: Hydroplaning happens so fast and it can lead to intense fear and loss of coordination, after you have gained control of the vehicle and you can pull over, please do. This will help you assess your vehicle’s state and restore your composure.
Conclusion
If you’re a novice driver, be sure to hydroplane slowly and carefully, stay calm and make quick and correct decisions, as the slightest mistake can send your vehicle flying off the road or come to a halt. If you’re an experienced driver, be sure to hydroplane quickly and carefully, stay calm and make quick decisions - if you make one mistake, your vehicle could fly off the road or come to a halt.
