Panic while hydroplaning can cause serious accidents. Here’s what to do instead:
How to drive in winter weather before the Knoxville ice storm
Tennessee drivers don’t get much practice driving on snow and ice. Luckily, Sophie Sidrik knows how to stay safe when the roads get slippery.
- Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle’s tires lose traction on a wet road.
- Proper tire maintenance, including checking air pressure and tread depth, can help prevent hydroplaning.
Have you ever lost control of your car while driving?
Driving in the winter can be extremely dangerous due to the snow, ice, and mechanical issues brought on by the cold. One of the best ways to avoid serious or mechanical accidents when driving in the winter is to be aware of the many potential obstacles drivers may face.
Hydroplaning is a serious problem in many states as roads become wet and icy during the winter. Why do cars hydroplane? Is there a way for drivers to avoid this?
What does hydroplaning mean for your car?
Hydroplaning occurs when a car loses its ability to brake or steer and its tires lose traction. Traction is the grip between your tires and the road that allows your car to move without slipping or sliding. The tires are uniquely designed with traction in mind, giving drivers maximum control over a wide variety of road and weather conditions.
Vehicle hydroplane occurs when the tires interact with so much water that they can no longer make normal contact with the road. This can cause the driver to completely lose control. Hydroplaning can cause major collisions and accidents on the roads, especially in winter.
What happens when a vehicle hydroplanes?
“Speed, amount of water on the road, tire tread depth, tire pressure, vehicle weight, and road surface characteristics can all affect whether your vehicle is at risk of hydroplaning,” says insurance site Travelers.com. The vehicle can hydroplane “at speeds as high as 30 miles per hour.”
Cars don’t just hydroplane in deep water. Even a thin layer of water can cause you to lose control. Roads are more likely to be slippery in winter, but wet roads can put your car at risk of hydroplaning. When a vehicle hydroplanes, its movement is no longer controlled by tire friction, road surface or steering wheel movement. In the split second when a vehicle slides over a layer of water, the driver’s options for regaining control are extremely limited.
What should a driver do if hydroplaning occurs?
Although drivers can try to avoid wet roads, it is difficult to completely avoid hydroplaning if you live in an area where it rains or snows regularly. If you encounter a hydroplane while driving, there are several steps you can take to avoid an accident.
According to Bridgestone Tires, if you encounter a hydroplane phenomenon, “do not slam on the brakes.” Instead, “take your foot off the gas and slow the car down.” Drivers should not oversteer in this situation either. The best approach is to handle the initial shock of losing traction and be prepared to regain control of the vehicle after the tires cross the water layer.
After the tires regain traction, continue to slow the vehicle and avoid sudden stops. Accidents can occur if a driver reacts to a momentary loss of control by hydroplaning, panicking, slamming on the brakes, or jerking the steering wheel.
Tire maintenance tips to prevent traction problems
Drivers can’t always avoid wet roads, but keeping your tires in the best possible condition can make a big difference while driving.
How to properly maintain tires
- Check tire pressure regularly and inflate if necessary
- Test tread depth and replace tires if tread is too low
- Replace tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
- Check tires for visible damage
Properly maintaining your tires will improve your vehicle’s traction. Having the right tires can also completely change your driving experience. If you live in an area where wet road conditions occur regularly, consider winter tires or tires with above-average traction to avoid problems.
