Member Article

How to Avoid Aquaplaning on Wet Roads

The wet weather which has hit the North of England hard over the last few months has made driving conditions less than desirable. Heavy rainfall has led to standing water on roads, causing the possibility of your vehicle ‘aquaplaning’, a situation which can be daunting for even the most experienced of drivers.

Aquaplaning itself is when a vehicle loses grip, due to excess water between the tyres and the road surface. This loss of grip means that the vehicle does not respond properly to steering and breaking.

There are steps you can take to minimise the chances of aquaplaning, but it isn’t always avoidable. Here, we’ll talk you through how you can avoid aquaplaning, and what to do if your car is aquaplaning:

How can I prevent my car from aquaplaning?

Ensure that your tyres have sufficient tread. Tyres with the minimum 1.6mm of tread are more likely to aquaplane than those with a tread of 3mm, and stopping distances are also dramatically increased.

Check tyre pressure. If your tyres are under or over inflated, it may be more likely that you will skid.

What should I do if my car is aquaplaning?

You can tell if you are aquaplaning because your steering will become light. Your engine revs may also increase and the back end of your car may feel like it’s moving from side to side.

If you feel this happening, the most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Don’t make any sudden movements – hitting the breaks and turning the wheel can cause you to skid uncontrollably.

Keep the wheel straight, and take your foot off the accelerator steadily. Once you feel your wheels starting to grip again, you can begin to move the steering wheel, slowly, and if you require the breaks, pump them gently, rather than slamming them on, before resuming driving as normal.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Winn Solicitors Ltd .