• 03
  • February
    2012

Driving on wet roads poses a unique risk to drivers: hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle's tires lose contact with the road after encountering even small amounts of water.

Tires are manufactured with channels that move water out from under the tire, allowing tread to maintain contact with road. However, when tires become worn and tread depth is lessened or vehicles encounter more water than can be funneled away from the tire, a layer of water will remain, raising the tire from the road.

While hydroplaning can occur at any speed, it is most common at higher speeds. According to an article by Smart Motorist, three main factors contribute to a risk of hydroplaning:

  • Speed of the vehicle
  • Amount (depth) of tire tread
  • Depth of the water

The danger of hydroplaning is a driver's inability to maintain control when tires lose contact (or friction) with the road surface. When this occurs, a car is more apt to slide or skid, and become difficult to steer and stop, all of which increase the risk of a car accident.

What to do when Hydroplaning

When a car begins to hydroplane, a driver should avoid steering and applying the brakes. Instead, a driver should slowly let up on the accelerator and keep the vehicle tacking straight down the road, until he or she regains control. Also, there are precautions that a driver can take ahead of time to reduce the risk of hydroplaning. Safe Motorist offers the following tips:

  • Properly inflate tires
  • Replace/rotate tires when needed
  • Drive slower on wet roads
  • Try to avoid driving through standing water (puddles)
  • Drive in the tire tracks (on wet roads) of the vehicle ahead