What should you do if your vehicle starts to hydroplane?

When a vehicle starts to hydroplane, the tires lose contact with the road due to water build-up, resulting in a loss of traction. The correct response in this situation is to ease off the accelerator and steer straight. This approach allows the vehicle to regain traction gradually as the speed decreases, which is essential for regaining control.

By easing off the accelerator, you reduce the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, allowing the tires to have a better chance to make contact with the road as you move onto drier patches or as the water is displaced. Steering straight minimizes the risk of spinning out or veering off course, which can happen if sharp turns are attempted during hydroplaning.

Maintaining a calm and controlled reaction in this situation is crucial. Modulating your speed and keeping steering inputs gentle helps you remain in control until the tires regain traction. Other strategies, such as turning sharply or briskly accelerating, can exacerbate the situation and lead to loss of control, making it more challenging to regain stable driving conditions.