What do you do if your vehicle starts to hydroplane?

Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the tires of a vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of contact and control. In such a situation, the safest and most effective response is to take your foot off the accelerator and steer straight until control is regained. This method allows the vehicle's tires to reconnect with the road surface gradually, without making sudden movements that could exacerbate the loss of control.

When you let off the accelerator, you reduce the speed of the vehicle, which can help decrease the amount of water trapped under the tires, facilitating a better contact with the pavement. Steering straight provides stability and reduces the risk of losing control through sharp turns or abrupt steering corrections, which could lead to skidding or rolling over.

Other approaches, such as accelerating or sharply turning, could worsen the hydroplane situation, leading to further loss of traction or control. Braking immediately can also be counterproductive as it can cause the wheels to lock up, making it more difficult to regain traction. Thus, the recommended action during hydroplaning is to remain calm, ease off the accelerator, and keep steering straight until traction is recovered.