Aquaplaning can happen in seconds — but knowing what causes it and how to react can make all the difference. This guide explains how aquaplaning occurs, what to do if your vehicle starts to skid, and how proper tyre care can keep you safe on wet UK roads.
Most drivers in the UK have experienced aquaplaning to some degree – not least because our country is known for its rainfall, but also because slow drainage on country lanes and smaller roads can mean that surface water sits on road surfaces for days on end.
Aquaplaning refers to the moment when a car hits a pool of water on the road surface and is unable to push the water aside to retain its grip on the road. Rather than simply splashing through the pool of water, aquaplaning sees the tyres of the car skate on top of the water, losing friction and therefore control in an instant.
Aquaplaning can result in a loss of control over the brakes and steering and can lead to accidents with other vehicles as well as with static objects in the surrounding vicinity.
While there’s very little that can be done to reduce the amount of rainfall that hits roads across the UK, there are things that car and vehicle owners can do to minimise their risk of succumbing to severe aquaplaning. First, though, to the cause of aquaplaning and how to recognise that you might be in trouble.
What Causes Cars to Aquaplane?
The obvious answer to this lies in just one word: rain.
Rain on the roads is the most common cause of aquaplaning,
However, there are two sides to every story – and two contributing factors to every instance of aquaplaning. While rain and surface water no doubt create the obstacle, the tyres that are fitted to a vehicle can impact whether or not the car succumbs to aquaplaning and loses control or not.
The main components that matter in cases of surface water are tyre width and tyre tread.
If tyres are worn and the tread is nearing its minimum 1.6mm limit, then friction is already impaired. Hitting surface water with tyres which are worn and are therefore lacking in grip will generally mean that you are more likely to lose control of steering.
The tyre width directly impacts the vehicle’s chance of aquaplaning, with wider tyres more likely to aquaplane. While this isn’t necessarily something that can be changed, it is worth being aware of and altering your driving style in wet conditions accordingly.
How to Take Back Control if Your Vehicle Aquaplanes
Drivers will quickly become aware that they are aquaplaning, as the vehicle will suddenly feel looser and your ability to steer will be reduced.
Taking back control over a vehicle that has started to aquaplane will depend on the extent of the surface water and the speed at which you are travelling. The most important piece of advice is to ease off the accelerator but do not brake suddenly – as this can lead to an even greater loss of control.
However, there are steps that you can take today to reduce the risk of aquaplaning and to take back control of your vehicle long before it hits a patch of potentially hazardous surface water.
- Lower your speed and drive more carefully in adverse weather conditions
- Ensure that your tyres have sufficient tread and that your brakes are in excellent working order
The first step is habitual and refers to your driving behaviour. The second includes changes that you can make following a service and with the help of the team at Tyres.co.uk.
