What should you do if your vehicle starts to hydroplane?

When a vehicle begins to hydroplane, the correct action is to ease off the accelerator, steer straight, and avoid sudden movements. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the vehicle's tires and the road, causing the tires to lose contact with the road surface. This can lead to a loss of control over the vehicle.

By easing off the accelerator, you are allowing the vehicle to slow down slowly, which helps to regain contact with the road as the water is displaced. Steering straight ensures that you maintain a controlled trajectory without introducing any additional variables that could cause further loss of control. Sudden movements, whether in steering or braking, can exacerbate the situation by causing the tires to skid or spin out, making it harder to regain control.

In contrast, braking immediately can cause the wheels to lock up or skid, further increasing the chances of losing control during hydroplaning. Steering sharply can also lead to a loss of traction, as the sudden change in direction disrupts the balance of the vehicle. Accelerating in this situation is counterproductive since it can worsen the hydroplaning condition by increasing the speed at which the tires lose contact with the road.

Thus, the safest approach during hydroplaning is to ease off