How Can I Prevent Hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning is a frightening and hazardous situation that can happen to any driver, even those with years of experience. When your car hydroplanes, the tires lose contact with the road surface and glide on a thin layer of water instead. This can cause you to completely lose control of steering and braking. Hydroplaning accidents often result in serious injuries or even fatalities.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, such as driving too fast for wet road conditions or hydroplaning, you may have a right to compensation. Consult an experienced car accident attorney to understand your legal options and get assistance with your case.
What Is Hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning occurs when water builds up between your tires and the road surface, causing the tires to lose traction. The water pressure actually lifts part of the tire off the road. Several factors can contribute to hydroplaning:
- Vehicle speed: The faster you drive, the harder it is for the tires to disperse water from under them. Hydroplaning can start at speeds as low as 35 mph.
- Tire tread depth: Worn tires with shallow treads are more prone to hydroplaning. Tires need enough tread depth to effectively channel water out from beneath them.
- Water depth: The deeper the water, the higher the risk. If the water is deeper than the tire tread depth, the tire can’t displace the water and may hydroplane.
- Road conditions: Roads with poor drainage, potholes that collect water, or dips/ruts that prevent water from draining to the side are more likely to have standing water that leads to hydroplaning.
- Vehicle weight: Lighter vehicles are more likely to hydroplane. More weight helps push the tires down through the water and maintain contact with the road.
Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Hydroplaning
While you can’t control the road conditions you encounter, there are some things you can do as a driver to reduce your risk of hydroplaning:
Slow Down and Drive Carefully in Wet Weather
One of the most important things you can do to prevent hydroplaning is to slow down when driving in wet conditions. The posted speed limits you see on signs are intended for ideal driving conditions when the weather is good and the roads are dry. When it’s raining, you must drive slower than those posted limits to stay safe.
Driving slower is so important because the faster your car is going, the harder it is for your tires to move water out of the way. At higher speeds, the tires can’t disperse the water quickly enough, and the water starts to build up underneath them, lifting them off the road surface. That’s when you start to hydroplane and lose control. Decreasing your speed gives your tires a better chance of maintaining contact with the road, even on wet surfaces.
So, when the rain starts to fall, take your foot off the gas pedal and slow down to a speed that feels safe for the conditions. It’s better to arrive at your destination a little late than to risk your safety and the safety of others by driving too fast on slippery roads.
Make Sure Your Tires Have Enough Tread and Are Properly Inflated
Another key factor in preventing hydroplaning is keeping your tires in good condition. Your tires need to have adequate tread depth to channel water effectively out from under them as you drive. If your tires are worn down and have shallow tread, they cannot displace water, increasing the likelihood of hydroplaning.
Proper tire inflation is crucial, along with tread depth. Underinflated tires have a flatter surface that doesn’t drain water as efficiently, while overinflated tires have less tread touching the road, reducing traction. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended tire pressure for your specific vehicle, and make sure to keep your tires inflated to that level.
Avoid Large Puddles and Standing Water When Possible
While you can’t always avoid every puddle on the road, it’s best to steer clear of large areas of standing water when you can do so safely. The deeper the water is, the greater the risk of hydroplaning. If you can’t see the bottom of a puddle, it’s best not to drive through it, as you don’t know how deep it is.
Deep puddles can easily cause you to lose control of your car, even if you’re driving slowly. All it takes is a small area of water that’s deeper than your tire tread, and you can start to hydroplane. If you see a large puddle ahead, slow down and try to safely navigate around it if possible. If you can’t avoid the puddle, drive through it very slowly and carefully, being prepared for the possibility of losing traction.
Follow in the Tire Tracks of the Vehicle Ahead of You
When driving on a wet road, one helpful trick is to try to drive in the tire tracks of the vehicle in front of you, assuming they’re driving safely and responsibly. The tires of the car ahead will help disperse some of the water on the road, leaving the driest pavement in their tracks.
Driving in the tire tracks of another vehicle can help reduce your own risk of hydroplaning, as you’ll be driving over a surface with less standing water. Of course, you must maintain a safe following distance and be prepared to brake if necessary. Don’t follow the other car too closely just to stay in their tracks.
It’s also important to remember that this technique is less effective in heavy rain or if the vehicle ahead of you is much smaller than your own. The other car’s tires won’t displace enough water to make a significant difference in those cases. Always use your best judgment and drive cautiously, whether you’re following someone else’s tracks or blazing your own path.
Avoid Using Cruise Control in Wet Conditions
Cruise control is a great feature that can make long drives more comfortable, but it’s best to avoid using it when driving in wet conditions. If you start to hydroplane while using cruise control, the system will work against you, making it harder to regain control of your vehicle.
Cruise control is designed to maintain a constant speed, even if you take your foot off the gas pedal. If you start to hydroplane, the cruise control will keep trying to accelerate to maintain your set speed, causing your wheels to spin even faster on the wet surface. This can make it much harder to slow down and regain traction.
In contrast, if you’re not using cruise control and you start to hydroplane, you can immediately take your foot off the gas pedal, allowing the car to slow down naturally and helping your tires regain contact with the road. It’s a much safer and more effective way to handle hydroplaning.
So, when the roads are wet, it’s best to keep your cruise control turned off and control your speed manually. This way, you’ll be better prepared to react quickly and safely if you encounter any slippery spots or start to lose traction.
What to Do If You Start Hydroplaning
If you find yourself hydroplaning, here are some tips to help you regain control:
Stay Calm and Avoid Sudden Moves
If you feel your car start to hydroplane, the first and most important thing is to stay calm. It can be scary when you suddenly lose control of your vehicle, but panicking or making abrupt moves with the steering wheel or brakes can worsen the situation. Sudden jerking motions can cause your car to skid or spin out of control. Instead, try to keep your cool and focus on gently guiding the car until you regain traction.
Ease Off the Gas Pedal
When you start to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas pedal and let the car slow down naturally. Don’t brake suddenly, as this can cause the wheels to lock up and send you into a skid.
As the car gradually slows down, the weight will shift to the front of the vehicle, helping the front tires push through the water and regain contact with the road surface. Letting off the gas is a safe and effective way to decrease your speed without losing control.
Keep the Steering Wheel Straight
If you’re hydroplaning while driving straight, keeping the steering wheel pointed straight ahead is best. Turning the wheel while gliding on the water can cause the car to spin or slide unpredictably once the tires regain traction.
However, if you must turn, do so slowly and gently. Abrupt or forceful steering motions can quickly make a hydroplaning situation much worse. Focus on maintaining your current direction until you feel the tires reconnect with the road.
Brake Gently Once You Regain Traction
After you feel the tires regain traction with the road, you may need to slow the car down further. Gently apply the brakes to gradually reduce your speed. Be careful not to slam on the brakes, as this can cause the tires to lose traction again, especially if you’re still on a wet surface.
If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS), you can maintain firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal and let the system do its job. The ABS will automatically pump the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up and help you maintain control as you stop.
Pull Over and Collect Yourself
Once you’ve safely navigated the hydroplaning incident, look for a safe place to pull over and take a moment to collect yourself. Hydroplaning can be a frightening experience, and it’s okay to take a few minutes to calm down before continuing your journey. If it’s still raining heavily, you may want to wait for the worst of the downpour to subside before getting back on the road.
Remember to turn on your hazard lights if you’re stopped on the shoulder so other drivers can see you. When you’re ready, merge carefully back into traffic and continue driving cautiously until you reach your destination.
When Another Driver’s Negligence Causes a Hydroplaning Accident
Sadly, not all drivers are as careful as they should be when driving in dangerous weather conditions. Some people drive recklessly even when the roads are wet and slippery.
They may speed excessively, follow other cars too closely, make abrupt lane changes, or engage in careless behaviors. When drivers fail to adjust their driving habits appropriately for the conditions, they put themselves and others at risk of hydroplaning and serious car accidents.
Imagine you’re driving cautiously in heavy rain, going slower than the posted speed limit, and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. Suddenly, a car zooms past you, switching lanes erratically and spraying water everywhere. Moments later, you see the car start to swerve and then violently spin out of control, hydroplaning across multiple lanes before crashing into the guardrail. In this scary situation, the reckless driver’s poor choices put everyone on the road in danger.
Hydroplaning accidents can easily result in severe injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or even death. Victims may be left with staggering medical bills, lost income from missing work, and significant pain and suffering. The consequences of a negligent driver’s actions can be life-altering and financially devastating for the people they harm.
If you find yourself injured in a crash because another driver was speeding or driving carelessly in wet conditions, it’s essential to remember that you have rights. You should not have to bear the burdens of someone else’s poor decisions alone.
The law allows accident victims to seek compensation from at-fault parties for their damages. While no amount of money can erase what happened, it can help provide the resources needed to heal, recover, and move forward after a serious wreck.
Taking legal action against a reckless driver not only helps you get the financial support you need and deserve but also sends a strong message that careless behavior behind the wheel is unacceptable. By holding negligent drivers accountable, you may help prevent them from making the same bad choices in the future, potentially sparing others from going through the same.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney Today
While we can’t control what other drivers do, we can take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Slowing down, ensuring your car and tires are in good condition, and being cautious in wet conditions can help reduce your chances of being in a hydroplaning accident.
If you suffered an injury from a negligent driver, don’t hesitate to get advice from an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you get the compensation you need to move forward after a serious crash. Stay safe on the roads, and remember to reach out to a car accident lawyer if you need one.