We’re often made aware of the dangers of adverse weather conditions when it comes to driving, whether it’s ice on the roads or low visibility from fog. But something that’s just as deadly, and can occur at any time of the year, is aquaplaning. This is the situation where a sheet of water causes you to lose traction with the road, and you subsequently find yourself skidding helplessly over the tarmac. It usually only lasts a few seconds, but as all drivers know, that’s more than enough time for a serious accident to occur. If you’re going to be safe on the roads, you have to make sure you’re prepared for any eventuality. A few quick tips will ensure that you know how to recognise the conditions where aquaplaning is likely to arise, the sensation you’ll experience when it occurs, and what to do when you feel it happening.
The conditions of aquaplaning and how to prepare
Aquaplaning is especially likely when you’ve had a heavy downpour, especially on even-cambered roads where the water takes time to run off. If you’re in a downpour, it’s essential that you increase the distance between yourself and other vehicles ahead. The ‘two-second rule’ needs to be doubled to ensure you have enough time to stop before hitting the vehicle in front. In addition, if you’re approaching a blind corner in heavy rain, reduce to a lower speed to ensure you have time to react to whatever is coming next, and for extra control over your vehicle should any type of skid occur.
What aquaplaning feels like
You’ll know when your vehicle has entered into this situation because you will feel the car suddenly grow lighter and less responsive. You may find that you’re heading off the ideal line of the road, and a sensation of gliding above the road surface is also common. It’s one of those things that it easy to recognise when it’s happening – the important thing is to recognise it for what it is, and prepare to take the right action.
How to respond
The process of dealing with an aquaplaning situation is simple. You have to take your foot off the accelerator so that you don’t accelerate into the skid and cause a spin. But it’s equally important not to brake. This is one of the most common mistakes when it comes to an aquaplane – drivers panic, and slam on the brakes, locking the wheels in position, and worsening their traction with the road.
Your steering should match the course of the vehicle. Don’t yank away from the skid, as this means when your wheels make contact with the road again you’re likely to skid again. It may seem counter-intuitive, but the best course is to glide with the skid and wait for the traction to come back. As mentioned earlier, this process usually only last a few seconds. When you feel your traction has returned, drive normally to regain control of the vehicle.
Conclusion
It’s obviously best not to find yourself in this situation in the first place. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the road surface and adjust your speed accordingly. It’s also important to maintain good tyre pressure and tread. If you notice standing water ahead, don’t accelerate towards it – some people seem to think it’s better to race through the water to prevent getting stranded, but you stand a much greater chance of creating water damage to your car and losing control. Just take it easy and you’ll find you’re in a much better position to carry on with your journey as normal.