linhsy
New member
Hi all, I've come across this article, hope it will help:
After class you dash to your car,
rain is coming down hard, and you just want to get home dry. As you drive, you see an approaching puddle and think nothing of it. After all, it’s just water, not snow or ice. You hit the puddle and soon realize that you’ve lost control of your car. You panic. What’s happening? What do you do?
Be Hip To Hydroplaning
You’ve just had your first hydroplaning experience. Though it may sound exciting on paper, in real life it’s dangerous and can be very scary. Hydroplaning occurs when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than the tires can push it out of the way. When this occurs, your car rises up and rides along that small layer of water on the road. The tires are no longer in contact with the ground, and therefore, you have no control. It’s very similar to sliding across a sheet of ice. Fortunately, though, there are ways that you can help keep your wheels grounded. You can:
• Decrease your speed on wet roads.
• Be sure you maintain good tread on your tires.
• Avoid puddles whenever possible.
• Try your best to stay in the tire tracks of other drivers.
Be Ready To React
If you follow these tips but still find yourself hydroplaning on a wet road, you have to be prepared for the worst. To help get your tires back in contact with the road as soon as possible:
• Do not brake or turn suddenly. Doing so could throw your car into a spin and send you into the other lane.
• Begin to ease your foot off the gas until you feel your car sink back down onto the road.
• Finally, if you have no option but to brake, use a light, pumping motion.
Remember, by driving responsibly and adjusting your driving style to the constantly changing road conditions, you’ll stay safer.
After class you dash to your car,
rain is coming down hard, and you just want to get home dry. As you drive, you see an approaching puddle and think nothing of it. After all, it’s just water, not snow or ice. You hit the puddle and soon realize that you’ve lost control of your car. You panic. What’s happening? What do you do?
Be Hip To Hydroplaning
You’ve just had your first hydroplaning experience. Though it may sound exciting on paper, in real life it’s dangerous and can be very scary. Hydroplaning occurs when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than the tires can push it out of the way. When this occurs, your car rises up and rides along that small layer of water on the road. The tires are no longer in contact with the ground, and therefore, you have no control. It’s very similar to sliding across a sheet of ice. Fortunately, though, there are ways that you can help keep your wheels grounded. You can:
• Decrease your speed on wet roads.
• Be sure you maintain good tread on your tires.
• Avoid puddles whenever possible.
• Try your best to stay in the tire tracks of other drivers.
Be Ready To React
If you follow these tips but still find yourself hydroplaning on a wet road, you have to be prepared for the worst. To help get your tires back in contact with the road as soon as possible:
• Do not brake or turn suddenly. Doing so could throw your car into a spin and send you into the other lane.
• Begin to ease your foot off the gas until you feel your car sink back down onto the road.
• Finally, if you have no option but to brake, use a light, pumping motion.
Remember, by driving responsibly and adjusting your driving style to the constantly changing road conditions, you’ll stay safer.
