The rainy season has arrived once more, and given the frequency of rainfall over the past few days, it is certain that the roads are always wet and slippery.

Not only that, the presence of water puddles on the road surface can lead to an unwanted phenomenon known as hydroplaning if you are not careful enough.

If you fall victim to hydroplaning, the likelihood of an accident occurring is significantly high, as you will lose control of your vehicle.

In this article, we dive into ways to avoid hydroplaning and what you should do if it happens to you.

But before we go any further, let’s first understand what hydroplaning is. Also known as aquaplaning, it is a condition where the tyres lose contact with the road surface when driving on wet roads.

This occurs when the tyres are unable to disperse water quickly enough, causing water to come in between the tyre surface and the road.

As a result, the tyres cannot grip the road effectively, and you may lose control of your vehicle.

How can hydroplaning be avoided?

First and foremost, ensure that your vehicle’s tyres are in good condition before you start driving. Tread depth plays a vital role in effectively dispersing water, so if the tyres are worn down, the likelihood of hydroplaning increases.

Also, remember to regularly rotate your tyres to ensure they wear evenly.

Don’t forget to check your tyre pressure as well. Excessively high pressure will reduce the contact patch between the tyre and the road, which can certainly increase the risk of hydroplaning.

Additionally, you can reduce the risk by driving more slowly in the rain. If possible, avoid driving through puddles and standing water.

But sometimes things can go wrong unexpectedly. If hydroplaning occurs while you behind the wheel, the first and best thing you can do is to remain calm and not panic.

Next, ease off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to slow down gradually. Though it may sound the most logical thing to do, avoid slamming on the brakes as this can worsen the situation.

Finally, try to control the direction of the car by gently steering. Do not turn the steering wheel aggressively, as this can cause the car to spin.