Much like driving on the ice, hydroplaning causes your vehicle to lose its grip on the road. It happens when your car strikes a wet surface, such as a patch of water on the road. Because of the speed of the car, it can lift up onto the top of the water, meaning that it is no longer touching the pavement. The gap may be tiny, but it can be enough to make it difficult or impossible to steer.
It’s very frightening when it happens, and drivers need to be able to react quickly. So what should you do if this happens to you?
Avoid the brakes
You don’t need to hit the brakes. Doing so can just make things worse. Instead, take your foot off of the gas pedal. The car will slow down on its own. Often, reducing speed by even a small amount is enough to allow the car to reestablish grip and control.
Don’t over-correct
If your car starts to turn or drift in one direction, don’t over-correct. This will just cause you to completely lose control, which is when people spin out or even roll their vehicles. Instead, just hold the wheel steadily and try to stay calm.
Remember that it won’t last long
The biggest thing about hydroplaning is that it often only lasts for a second or two. People make mistakes because they overreact in that moment, and they get involved in an accident. But if you simply maintain control of your vehicle, you can often be out of danger very quickly.
What if someone else hits your car?
Unfortunately, other drivers are still going to make mistakes when they hydroplane. If you’re injured when one of them runs into your vehicle, you need to know what legal options you have.
