Driving in the rain can bring a lot of anxiety to some drivers. With the lack of visibility and the fear of losing control, you’re not alone! Hydroplaning, also known as aquaplaning, occurs when a layer of water comes between the tires and road causing a loss of traction. This lack of traction can cause the driver to lose their ability to steer and brake properly. The vehicle may skid or slide and this could unfortunately cause an accident. But have no fear! There are several ways to avoid hydroplaning and build your confidence driving in the rain!
1. (First off, and most importantly) Do NOT slam on the breaks. The best option is to pump your breaks until you begin to regain control. If you have anti-lock brakes (check your owners manual if you are unsure), brake like normal but not too hard. The vehicle will do the brake pumping action for you.
2. This is not the time to have a lead foot! Slow down in the rain, you will have more traction and better control when you are coming to a stop.
3. Take care of your tires. Unfortunately this creates another “to-do” on your busy list. It is important to check and properly adjust your tire pressure. Check the traction on your tires often and rotate or replace them if need be, especially if they are beginning to bald.
4. Avoid standing water. Puddles can cause immediate loss of traction. It is smart to avoid the outer lanes where masses of water are likely to form.
5. Stay in control, don’t use cruise control! Hydroplaning while in cruise control has actually caused vehicles to accelerate. As you can imagine, this creates a problem when it comes to regaining control of your vehicle.
If you do begin to hydroplane, remain calm! Take your foot off the accelerator, grasp the wheel firmly, and attempt to steer the vehicle to where it is aimed straight ahead. Make sure you are not over steering, move the wheel a minimal amount, just enough to keep the vehicle moving forward. Hopefully these tips will help you gain confidence while driving in the rain, and help prevent accidents if hydroplaning does occur!
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