The underestimated danger of aquaplaning: What should you do if you slip in the rain?

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During heavy storms with downpours, water often doesn’t have a chance to flow down the street quickly enough. In this case, there is a risk of aquaplaning: The connection between the tires and the road is interrupted by the water film, especially in worn tires with a slightly shallow tread depth.

This usually happens suddenly; Steering suddenly becomes easier. And this can happen not only on the motorway, but also from speeds of around 50 km/h!

This is how you stay prepared

You should take your foot off the accelerator pedal at the latest when the windshield wiper is operating at high speed. You do this almost automatically, but it’s often not enough. Remember: dipped beam headlights must be on (by the way, fog lights are of no use during the day; rear fog lights should also generally remain off – here are all the lighting rules). Always keep both hands on the steering wheel, be ready to brake and increase the distance to the vehicle in front due to the longer braking distance on wet roads.

Tracks on highways are dangerous; here it can help gently move away from depressions where water is visibly collected. For example, the additional sign “When wet”, so common on German motorways, should be taken seriously; It indicates that collisions occur frequently in rain and is applied when a continuous layer of water forms on the road. And even after the rain.

This is how you recognize danger

It is understood from the clearly visible tire tracks and intense water splashes of the vehicles in front that water accumulates on the asphalt and forms a film. Others become truly dangerous when they no longer leave a trace. To listen! If water rushes into the wheel arch, aquaplaning is inevitable.

This is how you react correctly

What do you do if you lose connection with the road? Do not brake hard; Otherwise, things could end badly if the tires suddenly regain grip. In no case should you reverse direction; For the same reason, this increases the risk of slipping. Instead, keep the steering wheel straight, slowly (!) release the accelerator pedal and slowly reduce speed. In vehicles with manual transmission, depress the clutch.

But what if the car still starts to skid? So please don’t waste time turning the steering wheel backwards, just check in to reduce your speed!

Source: Blick