What is hydroplaning and how can it be avoided?

Hydroplaning is defined as a situation in which a vehicle's tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water forming between the tires and the road. This can lead to loss of control, as the vehicle essentially rides on top of the water instead of making proper contact with the pavement. The correct approach to avoid hydroplaning is to reduce your speed in wet conditions. By slowing down, you enable your tires to better channel the water away and maintain contact with the road, significantly reducing the risk of hydroplaning.

In addition to reducing speed, ensuring your tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth also plays a crucial role in preventing hydroplaning, but the immediate action in response to wet conditions is to drive more cautiously.