Hydroplaning can occur on any wet road, but the first 10 minutes when the rain first starts is when you should be on the highest alert. This isn’t to say these tips are not useful for other times it rains, but within the first 10 minutes is the most dangerous.
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle passes over water on the roadway and the tires lose traction. It can happen at relatively slow speeds and more often at speeds in excess of 35 miler per hour. Roads with poor drainage cause water to pool making those roads much more dangerous than roads with good drainage.
Since water can remain standing, it doesn’t have to be raining to cause your vehicle to hydroplane. You can inadvertently pass over a standing area of water at any time, from rain or other sources. Follow these safety precautions and know what to avoid in order to ensure you arrive to your destination safely.
Here are some tips that may help you to avoid hydroplaning if you find yourself on the roadways during or immediately after a rainfall event:
By following these simple steps, and by following other basic road safety instructions and remaining aware of your surroundings, you will be much less likely to hydroplane your vehicle in adverse weather conditions.
