What should you do to avoid hydroplaning?

To avoid hydroplaning, slowing down in wet conditions and avoiding sudden maneuvers is essential. Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle's tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water, which results in a loss of traction and control. By reducing speed, you can decrease the likelihood of your tires skimming over the surface of standing water and maintain better contact with the road. It’s also crucial to steer smoothly and gently, which helps in maintaining traction.

Driving faster or making abrupt turns can exacerbate the risk of hydroplaning, as it increases the chances that the tires will not be able to disperse water effectively. Switching to off-road tires does not guarantee that you will avoid hydroplaning, as their tread design may not be optimized for wet pavement conditions. Moreover, while avoiding driving on rainy days might seem like a precaution, it is not always feasible or practical. Therefore, understanding how to adjust your driving behaviors is the most effective strategy for preventing hydroplaning.