Aquaplaning

  • Aquaplaning is the name given to the occasion where you are driving in wet conditions and your vehicles wheels lose traction.
  • It can be difficult to tell when you are aquaplaning, but it often feels as though the steering is non-responsive and the back end is weaving/wobbling.
  • It occurs as a combination of speed, tyre pressure, tyre condition and depth of water.
  • Avoid aquaplaning by reducing your speed to under 50 mph. Over this speed and you significantly increase your chances of aquaplaning.
  • Stay in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you, but stay back by at least 3 seconds.
  • Try and stay in the middle lanes, as water will tend to gather in the outside lanes first.
  • If you do aquaplane:
    1. Depress the clutch
    2. Put you hazard lights on
    3. Grip the wheel firmly and steer where you want to go (steer into the skid)
    4. Avoid braking/accelerating
    5. Check the rear view mirror for other vehicles getting too close etc.

Fraser

Posted by: Fraser

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