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Texas Defensive Driving Safety Information

Texas Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the rubber tires of a vehicle and the road surface, thus leading to a loss of traction and thus preventing the vehicle from responding to control inputs such as steering, braking, or accelerating. If it occurs along all four wheels, the vehicle becomes, in effect, an uncontrolled sled.

The grooves of a rubber tire are designed to disperse water from beneath the tire, providing high friction even in wet conditions. Hydroplaning occurs when a tire encounters more water than it can dissipate. Water pressure in front of the wheel forces a wedge of water under the leading edge of the tire, causing it to lift from the road. The tire then skates on a sheet of water with little, if any, direct road contact. If multiple tires hydroplane, the vehicle may lose directional control and slide until it either collides with an obstacle, or slows enough that one or more tires contact the road again and friction is regained.

The risk of hydroplaning increases with the depth of standing water and the sensitivity of a vehicle to that water depth. The following can be a factor of water depth on the roadways: depth of compacted wheel tracks and longitudinal depressions, pavement micro and macro-texture, pavement cross slope and grade, width of pavement, roadway curvature, and rainfall intensity and duration.

Recovering while traveling in a straight line is best by not turning the steering wheel of the car or applying the brakes, but instead by gently easing pressure off the accelerator. When braking is unavoidable, hydroplane recovery is possible by lightly pumping the brakes until hydroplaning has stopped. If the rear wheels hydroplane and over steering occurs, recovery is possible by steering in the direction of the skid until the rear tires gain traction, and then rapidly steer in the other direction to straighten the car.

To avoid hydroplaning in the first place, you should check your vehicle for proper tire pressure as well as narrow and unworn tires. Reducing your speed in wet conditions and avoiding standing water can also prevent hydroplaning. In a wet city like Houston, where rain is often a downpour, you may consider investing in some tires made for wet conditions.

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