What is hydroplaning and what should I do if it happens while driving?
(KTXL) — Wet roads in rainy weather can pose various risks to drivers. One of them is hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning occurs when the car loses contact with the road surface and begins to ride on water. The sensation of losing traction can panic a driver, but the Motor Vehicle Authority advises drivers to remain calm.
Once the car starts to hydroplane, the driver feels that he has lost the ability to steer and control the car. It is important that the driver does not steer the car in another direction or hit the brakes. Doing so may cause the car to skid.
Instead, the DMV advises drivers to let the gas off and let the car slow down on its own. When the tires touch the road, the driver should feel control of the car return to the steering wheel.
A number of factors contribute to vehicle hydroplaning, including speed, amount of rainfall, and the tread of the vehicle’s tires.
“If your tires are under-inflated or have worn treads, you are more likely to experience hydroplaning. said the DMV.
Cars are at risk of hydroplaning at 50 mph in heavy rain, but it can also happen at speeds as low as 30 mph if there’s a fair amount of rain on the road.
https://www.mystateline.com/news/what-is-hydroplaning-and-what-should-you-do-if-it-happens-while-you-are-driving/ What is hydroplaning and what should I do if it happens while driving?