Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Hydroplaning caused by speed, water and wear
Summer storms bring sudden, heavy rainfall so you need to use caution when driving. If your tires are riding on a layer of water, you can lose all traction and control and your vehicle can hydroplane. It’s frightening and dangerous.
Do you feel a pull?
If you drive through water and feel the vehicle pull suddenly to the right
or left, it’s a sign that you’re hydroplaning.
Don’t hit the brakes
If you are hydroplaning, don’t hit the brakes. Activate hazard lights, take your foot off the gas (and press the clutch if you’re driving a standard) and grip the steering wheel firmly. Let the vehicle coast until hydroplaning stops. Avoid sudden movements.
After hydroplaning
When you feel your tires regain contact with the road, apply the brakes gently. Re-engage the transmission if driving a standard. Resume driving at a slower speed.
What’s the cause?
The tread on your tires is supposed to channel water away so the rubber can contact the roadway directly. Hydroplaning risk increases with the amount of water on the road. Slow down in advance of puddles. In a very heavy rain, your vehicle can hydroplane even when there are no obvious puddles on the road. And high speeds increase the risk.
Check your tires
If your tires are bald or under-inflated you can begin hydroplaning at low speeds. But even if your tires are in perfect shape, the combination of speed and a wet roadway can cause hydroplaning.
Take a break
If you’re driving in a heavy downpour, look for a safe place to leave the roadway and wait out the worst of the storm.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV and check out the following sections on our website:
- Hydroplaning in Driving Tips
- Braking on Wet Roads in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second Driver video on Hydroplaning directly
