While driving on a wet highway, water builds up under your tires and your vehicle begins to hydroplane across standing water. What is the correct sequential order of actions you should take to safely regain vehicle control?
- 1Smoothly ease your foot off the accelerator to let the vehicle slow down naturally.
- 2Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel while keeping the front wheels pointed straight in your intended path.
- 3Allow the tires to push through the water film and re-establish traction with the road surface.
- 4Apply gentle pressure to the brakes once full vehicle control and road contact are re-established.
Answer
The correct order of actions to recover from hydroplaning is: first, smoothly ease off the accelerator; second, hold the steering wheel firmly straight ahead; third, allow the tires to regain traction with the road; and finally, gently apply the brakes once control is completely restored.
When a vehicle hydroplanes, the tires lose contact with the road. The driver must first ease off the gas pedal to reduce speed without locking the wheels, keep the wheel straight to maintain stability, wait for the tires to regain traction on the pavement, and only then apply gentle braking if necessary.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Hydroplaning Recovery Procedure
Estimated Time:45s