According to the NHTSA, almost six million car accidents occur annually in the United States. Over 1,180,000 of these accidents were related to inclement weather such as rain, sleet, snow, ice, wind or fog. Approximately 5,000 deaths and over 400,000 injuries were reported. Shockingly, over 70% of these inclement weather-related accidents occurred on wet roads and were a direct result of rain. 46% of these accidents occurred while it was raining. By comparison, winter weather accidents only equated to 18% of these accidents. These scary numbers bring us to hydroplaning (also known as aquaplaning), whereby a layer of water prevents car tires from retaining contact on the road surface. It’s a very dangerous situation that can quickly cause an accident, so here’s everything you need to know about hydroplaning.
Tyre Trends/YouTube
What Is Hydroplaning?
Tires incorporate a specific design called ‘tread siping’. The purpose of siping is to remove water from the tread and allow the tire to maintain contact with the road. Hydroplaning occurs when the tires are unable to remove the water from the tread faster than it collects. The water then separates the tires from the road, causing the vehicle to slip or skid; this is the meaning of hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning animation (Source: National Tyres and Autocare/YouTube)
Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 35 mph, but is more likely to occur at higher speeds. Although hydroplaning can occur when driving through puddles, Safe Motorist states one of the most unsafe times to drive is within the first ten minutes of light rain. During this time, the water draws out the oil residue from the pavement, creating a particularly slick surface.
National Tyres and AutoCare/YouTube
When a vehicle hydroplanes, the driver can lose control of the steering system and experience dramatically reduced braking efficiency as the tires lose their grip on the road. How else does hydroplaning happen? It can also be the result of driver error. Driving at faster speeds, heavy braking, or harsh steering movements can all result in hydroplaning.
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What To Do When Hydroplaning Occurs
Hydroplaning can be downright terrifying, as it usually occurs suddenly when you least expect it. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, follow these steps to get through it:
Release the gas pedal to slow the vehicle. Do NOT press on the brakes! This may be your initial reaction. However, it can cause you to completely lose control as the hydroplaning can worsen. Focus on keeping the vehicle in a straight line. If you need to change the direction of the vehicle, do so with slow, controlled steering inputs. Any harsh or rapid changes in the steering wheel can worsen the condition. Once the vehicle has slowed, the tires should have regained some traction. Once the tires have traction, you can slowly apply the brakes and regain full control.
It should be known that the above steps are the best rainy weather driving practices. However, these steps are not always possible depending on road, traffic, and vehicle conditions. One of the best ways to address hydroplaning is to do your best to avoid it in the first place.
Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash
How To Avoid Hydroplaning
Although hydroplaning can occur randomly and unexpectedly, there are ways to prevent it from happening. It’s simply not feasible to swear off driving in rainy weather as road conditions can change without warning. For that reason, we recommend you follow these tips to avoid hydroplaning:
Drive with extra caution and increase your following distances. Avoid driving within the first ten minutes of a rainstorm. Check your tires monthly. Inspect the tread condition and tire pressures. Tires with worn tread (4/32 or less) are more at risk of causing hydroplaning than tires with good tread. Drive under the posted speed limit when possible. Driving at higher speeds reduces the tire’s ability to dissipate water, leaving you more likely to hydroplane. Avoid puddles when possible by safely driving around them. Avoid rapidly accelerating. Do not stab the brake pedal. When possible, gently depress the pedal to avoid sudden changes in wheel speed. Do not abruptly or sharply turn the steering wheel. A sudden change in wheel direction can result in hydroplaning. If your vehicle is equipped with different traction modes, engage the mode that best suits driving on wet roads. If equipped, make sure your vehicle’s traction control and ABS systems are functional and engaged. (These should function without any driver input. If there are warning or fault lights illuminated, these systems will not operate)
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Which Cars Hydroplane The Most?
Hydroplaning can occur in any vehicle. However, some vehicles can be more susceptible to hydroplaning than others. According to various studies performed around the world, the vehicles that are least likely to hydroplane are generally heavier, such as a full-size sedan like a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Light cars and unloaded pickup trucks have a tendency to hydroplane more than other vehicles. Vehicles that are equipped with wider wheels and tires are less likely to hydroplane. These wider tires will have a greater surface area to grip the road, maintaining traction. One vehicle in particular is most likely to hydroplane and that’s the one with worn tires. Vehicles that drive around with tires that have little to no tread are at the greatest risk of hydroplaning. All other things being equal, a front-wheel-drive car is more resistant to aquaplaning due to the increased weight of the engine over its front wheels, which increases traction.
Hydroplaning Risk
Lower Risk
Higher Risk
Heavy vehicles
Light cars
Vehicles with front-wheel drive
Unloaded pickup trucks
Vehicles with rear- or all-wheel drive
Tire Review/YouTube
We hope that our readers and fellow car enthusiasts are fortunate enough to not experience hydroplaning. Unfortunately, driving in rainy or inclement weather is just part of the driving experience. We hope the tips above help you in your time of need if your vehicle begins to hydroplane. By following the list of preventative measures above, you will likely have a greater chance at avoiding the condition altogether. Most importantly, mind your speed and check your tires. Far too many accidents occur each year due to worn tires.
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