Springtime can be a challenging season for driving with the wet weather conditions. Hydroplaning is a dangerous driving situation to avoid, but if you cannot it is best to be prepared.
How To Avoid Hydroplaning
1. Reduce Your Speed
Most automobile safety experts agree that hydroplaning is most likely to occur at speeds greater than thirty-five miles per hour. Drive 10-20 kilometres slower than the speed limit to start, and even slower in heavy rain or windy conditions. Avoid sudden accelerations at all costs.
2. No Cruise Control
Never use your vehicle’s cruise control function while it is raining or while driving on wet roads. If you were to begin hydroplaning while driving with the cruise control on, it will take additional time for you to disable the function before beginning to regain control of your vehicle.
3. Avoid Puddles & Standing Water
Try to avoid any place that you can see has collected water. It only takes a small film of water to cause hydroplaning. If you can actually see standing water, it is highly probable that your vehicle will hydroplane as it drives over it.
Regaining Control From Hydroplaning
1. Ease Your Foot Off The Accelerator Immediately
Never use your brakes to respond to hydroplaning. Sudden braking on a wet roadway can cause your car to skid completely out of control.
2. Turn Your Steering Wheel TOWARD The Direction Your Car is Going
Although this sounds contradictory, this will help your tires realign with the direction your vehicle is travelling and assist you in regaining steering control.
3. Wait Until You Feel Your Tires Re-Connect With The Road
It will be obvious to the driver when the vehicle has driven out of the hydroplaning situation. From there redirect your vehicle or pull over.
4. Stay Calm
Hydroplaning can be very traumatic. Take time to stay calm and recover.
