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Difficulty: EasyWet Weather and Aquaplaning

A driver travelling on a dual carriageway encounters standing water and feels the tyres lose contact with the road. In what sequence should the driver carry out these actions to safely regain vehicle control?

  1. 1Recognise the loss of steering resistance as the vehicle begins to aquaplane.
  2. 2Gradually ease pressure off the accelerator pedal.
  3. 3Hold the steering wheel steady in the direction of travel without making sudden inputs.
  4. 4Wait for tyre contact with the road surface to be fully restored before steering or braking.

Answer

The correct sequence is: recognise the loss of steering resistance, gradually ease pressure off the accelerator, hold the steering wheel steady in the direction of travel, and wait for tyre contact with the road surface to be fully restored.
When a vehicle aquaplanes, water builds up in front of the tyres faster than the tread can disperse it. The correct recovery procedure begins with recognising the symptom (loss of steering feedback), smoothly releasing the accelerator to slow down naturally, keeping the steering steady in a straight line, and waiting until the tyres cut through the water film to restore physical grip before attempting any further driving manoeuvres.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Detect the onset of aquaplaning by noting the light feel in steering and increased engine noise.
The driver becomes aware that the tyres are riding on a film of water rather than the tarmac.
Immediate awareness prevents improper panic reactions such as harsh braking.
2
Smoothly ease off the accelerator pedal.
Vehicle speed begins to decrease naturally through rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag.
Slowing down allows the tyre tread grooves to effectively disperse water from under the contact patch.
3
Maintain a steady grip on the steering wheel, keeping wheels aligned with the road.
The vehicle continues in its existing straight path without lateral weight shifts.
Turning the steering wheel while aquaplaning causes the car to violently veer or roll when grip suddenly returns.
4
Allow the vehicle to regain traction before applying gentle braking or steering adjustments.
Control is completely regained with steering feedback returning to normal weight.
Tyres must have direct mechanical contact with the road surface before handling inputs can be executed safely.

Key Concept

Correct sequential procedure for managing and recovering from vehicle aquaplaning
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Wet Weather and Aquaplaning

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