Motorists across the UK are being urged to exercise extreme caution this winter, as a common but preventable driving error poses a serious risk of causing major collisions. The danger, known as aquaplaning or hydroplaning, can lead to a complete loss of vehicle control.
What is Aquaplaning and Why is it Dangerous?
Aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between a vehicle's tyres and the road surface. This water wedge eliminates vital friction, meaning the driver cannot steer, brake, or accelerate effectively. The phenomenon is most likely to happen when driving at speed through large puddles or during periods of heavy rainfall, conditions that are increasingly common during the UK's wetter winter months.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, issued a stark warning: "As the weather across the UK gets wetter and stormier, motorists need to be on alert for dangerous driving conditions." He emphasised that many drivers underestimate the risk, noting that "even a thin layer of water can be enough if tyres are worn or speeds are too high."
Proactive Steps to Prevent Losing Control
Experts stress that prevention is the most effective strategy for dealing with aquaplaning. Mr Wilson outlined several key actions drivers can take to significantly improve their safety on wet roads:
- Regularly check your tyres: Ensure they have adequate tread depth and are inflated to the correct pressure. "If you're not sure what your tyre pressure should be, check your car manual or reference sticker on the inside of the doorframe," Wilson advised.
- Reduce your speed in wet conditions: Slowing down gives your tyres more time to disperse water and maintain contact with the road.
- Stay alert for puddles and standing water: Try to avoid them if safe to do so, or navigate through them slowly.
- Follow in the tracks of the vehicle ahead: "If there's a car ahead, their tyres will already have cleared some of the water from the road, leaving tracks behind. Driving in those tracks, while keeping a safe distance, could help your tyres maintain better grip," Wilson explained.
- Avoid cruise control on wet roads: This system can prevent you from reacting quickly if you start to aquaplane.
How to React if Your Car Begins to Aquaplane
If you feel the steering become light and unresponsive, you may be aquaplaning. The crucial advice is to avoid panic and any sudden movements. Do not slam on the brakes or jerk the steering wheel.
Instead, gently ease off the accelerator and hold the steering wheel straight until you feel the tyres regain contact with the road. Only apply brakes very lightly and progressively once control is restored. Gentle steering, braking, and accelerating are key when the road surface is wet, and extra care should be taken on bends.
By understanding the causes of aquaplaning and adopting these defensive driving techniques, UK motorists can dramatically reduce their risk during the challenging winter driving season.
