Wet road surfaces are a significant safety concern. When the pavement is slick during and after rainstorms, drivers may have to increase their following distance. It may take them longer to come to a complete stop, which increases their chances of causing a rear-end crash.
They are at risk of losing control of their vehicles if they attempt to maneuver aggressively. They could slide off the road or into oncoming lanes of traffic. That risk is especially high if hydroplaning occurs. Hydroplaning refers to a scenario in which high levels of water on the road prevent tires from making direct contact with the pavement. Hydroplaning is more likely to occur to vehicles traveling 35 miles per hour (mph) or more.
Hydroplaning leaves people at risk of a crash and can compromise their ability to safely operate their vehicles. Keeping tires properly inflated and making a point to avoid driving during heavy rainfall can limit the chances of hydroplaning occurring. Drivers also need to know how to handle hydroplaning when it happens.
How can motorists address hydroplaning?
Staying calm while hydroplaning is critical to optimizing personal safety. If people panic and overreact, they may actually increase their chances of something going wrong in traffic. The worst responses to hydroplaning include slamming on the brakes, accelerating aggressively or attempting to conduct other sudden maneuvers.
The simplest way to handle hydroplaning is to allow the vehicle to gradually slow down without fully stopping and to limit intense maneuvers until the driver regains control of the vehicle. People should take their feet off of the gas pedal. They can also pump their brake pedals if they have anti-lock brakes.
Unfortunately, not everyone is conscientious about weather-related traffic risks. People may not have a plan in place to respond effectively to hydroplaning. They may then end up causing significant collisions because they overreact or lose control of their vehicles.
Pursuing compensation after a motor vehicle collision is possible even when weather conditions are a contributing factor to the incident. People have an obligation to adjust their driving habits based on road and weather conditions. Drivers who don’t handle wet pavement and hydroplaning appropriately may be liable if they injure others due to their improper reactions in traffic.