During these rainy months, it’s important to know what aquaplaning is and how to avoid it with two simple steps, according to the DGT, as the situation often takes drivers by surprise, and can have catastrophic affects.
As the winter months subside, we frequently get mixed weather, from hot and sunny one day, to torrential rain the next, and one of the most problematic times is when the road has been dry for a while and is then covered with surface water.
Not only that, because in a sudden downpour, the risk of the tyre grooves not being able to evacuate all the incoming water increases, causing the dreaded aquaplaning that makes us lose control of the car.
How can we avoid aquaplaning?
The DGT gives us two basic tips for avoiding aquaplaning, and they’re as simple as they are sometimes (unbelievably) poorly applied. First, check the condition of your tyres, because the more worn they are, the greater the chance of suffering from aquaplaning.
And secondly, a tip that always works in so many situations, reduce your speed. We may be used to driving at a certain speed on a road we know by heart, but keep in mind that if it’s wet, the limits of stability are reached much sooner.
What to do if it happens?
If, even following all the recommendations, we experience aquaplaning, we must remain calm. These are the steps to take to regain control of the car and thus avoid an accident due to excessive water:
1. Hold the steering wheel firmly
2. Never brake hard, because the wheels can lock, and you would then lose control over the vehicle’s trajectory.
3. As the car regains grip, correct the trajectory gently and without making sudden movements of the steering wheel.
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