Watch out for the rain! How to act in case of aquaplaning

It doesn’t matter whether it’s winter or summer. Rain can come at any time, and in some parts of the country it falls torrentially, with many litres of water pouring down in a matter of minutes. This causes the roads to be covered in water, forming a layer of this liquid that can bring about one of the driver’s great enemies: aquaplaning.

This is the name given to the effect that causes the tyres to lose contact with the asphalt because of the water. The wheels are unable to displace the water beneath them, creating a floating effect that lifts the car slightly, and as a consequence, control of the vehicle is lost, which can lead to a serious accident. Fortunately, this effect can be counteracted and control of the car can be regained in a moment.

The main thing to regain control of the car is to keep control over oneself and remain calm. If the driver becomes overly nervous, it can be difficult to act and the situation can worsen. There is also something fundamental to bear in mind: tyres are essential to avoiding this problem.

The tread of the wheels must be in perfect condition so that the water can be evacuated without problems and the aquaplaning effect is avoided. But if, even with the wheels in good condition, we find ourselves in this situation, this is the correct way to act.

If you are driving along a straight stretch, what you must do is reduce speed without turning the steering wheel and wait for the car to leave the puddle that caused the problem. If you try to brake, it is easier to lose control. In this case, you must avoid turning the steering wheel, since without contact with the road surface, the car is more likely to drift excessively and, when it makes contact with the ground again, carry out a sudden and uncontrolled change of direction.

For this reason you must not reduce speed abruptly, since within a few seconds the wheels will make contact with the asphalt again and the car’s behaviour will change without warning. Nor should you accelerate in search of greater grip, for the same reason.

The most common occurrence in aquaplaning is that the wheels that skid are the rear ones. To avoid this, you must avoid braking and turning the steering wheel in the same direction the car is heading, quickly but without abruptness and only slightly, without making too large a turn.

If the car moves sideways due to the front wheels, the turn must be made in the opposite direction and all the pedals must be left alone. As soon as control is regained, which happens in one or two seconds, the necessary measures can be taken to get back on track.

The ideal way to avoid this dangerous effect is very simple: take extreme precautions when driving in the rain and avoid driving at high speeds so that the tyres can efficiently evacuate the water beneath them. Correct tyre pressure also helps improve grip on the road surface, so it should always be monitored.

Source | Own production