Hydroplaning is a quick and scary event that can hit any driver when too much water on the road beats the tires, making them lose grip and control. This happens when water piles up under the tires and the road, lifting the tires off the ground and making them slip on water not the road. The result is a short but risky loss of power over steering, braking, and speeding up, often making drivers feel lost and weak.

At its heart, hydroplaning is about grip — or better, the lack of it. Grip is the rub between your tires and the road that lets your car move smooth and follow your steering and braking moves. The tires must be able to push the water out as the car moves across water in order to continue touching the ground. However, when the water is too deep or the car is too fast, the tires are not able to discharge the water too fast. This causes the tires to ride on a layer of water so thin that is almost like skis on a lake and does not hold onto the hard road foundation.

Hydroplaning can start even with a bit of water — sometimes as small as 0.3 centimeters (about 1/8 inch) over 30 feet at speeds over 35 mph. But speed isn’t the only thing. The state of your tires is key. Tires with old tread or wrong air are more likely to hydroplane as they can’t push water out well. The tread works like tiny channels, moving water from under the tire to keep grip. New tires with deep, good tread can move lots of water per second, cutting the risk a lot. Also, heavier cars hydroplane less as their weight pushes the tires down on the road, upping the grip.

Weather also plays into hydroplane risk. The first 10 minutes of rain can be very risky since oil and dirt on the road mix with the water, making a slick layer that tires can’t grip well. Important locations that cause hydroplaning are deep water, pools, and water along the edges of roads. People have to be particularly watchful in these areas and avoid cruise control, which might make drivers react slower and cause wrong speed moves on wet roads.

The key factor in case you begin hydroplanning is to remember not to panic. Drastic actions, such as sudden braking or quick hand movements on the steering, could make it worse still and a spin is a possible outcome. However, instead, gradually release the gas and reduce the speed in a peaceful manner, allow the tires to regain contact with the road. Don’t brake hard; if you must brake, do it soft once you have grip again. Steering should be even and planned — turn the wheel a bit in the way you want to go, a move called “steering into the skid.” This lines up the tires and gets back control without overdoing it, which could spin or fishtail the car.

Hydroplaning prevention begins long before you get on wet roads. Maintenance of tires is very important: tires should be inflated well, rotation should be done after a period of 7,000 - 10,000 miles and when the tires are very worn out due to lack of in-depth treads. Think about getting tires made for wet roads if you drive a lot in rain, as these have special rubber and tread for pushing out water. Also, slow down in rain and try not to drive through pools or deep water when you can. The risk can also be reduced by driving in the tire tracks left by cars ahead them because the places will be relatively less wet.

In conclusion, hydroplaning is a hazardous situation that can be dealt with on slippery roads. Where knowledge of what to do is accompanied by the ability to recognize the signs of a stroke, and how it occurs in its early stages, and then quick action can save lives. Whether it is taken care of your tires, altering your speed and being composed in case of hydroplaning, you can drive in puddles with confidence and be more secure.