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Question

Difficulty: MediumWet Weather and Aquaplaning

While driving along an open road after a severe cloudburst, your car encounters pooled water. The engine revs suddenly surge and the steering wheel turns with almost no resistance, having no effect on your direction. What is the safest course of action to regain vehicle control?

  1. A
    Apply firm, continuous pressure to the footbrake to force the tyres through the water layer
  2. Smoothly ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel steady until the tyres regain gripAnswer
  3. C
    Turn the steering wheel briskly from side to side to help the tyre grooves cut through the standing water
  4. D
    Shift rapidly into a lower gear and pull up the handbrake to quickly reduce stopping distance

Answer

Smoothly ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel steady until the tyres regain grip.
When a vehicle aquaplanes, water builds up in front of the tyres faster than the tread grooves can evacuate it, causing the tyres to ride on a cushion of water. The correct response is to remove foot pressure from the accelerator pedal smoothly and avoid any harsh steering or braking, allowing the car to decelerate naturally until the tyres cut through the water film and grip the asphalt again.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recognise the symptoms of aquaplaning
Identify that the sudden increase in engine revs and weightless steering indicate tyres are floating on a film of water.
Correct identification prevents panicked and dangerous driver reactions.
2
Avoid sudden braking or steering inputs
The wheels remain pointed in the path of travel without locking up.
Harsh inputs while there is zero tyre-to-road contact lead to uncontrollable skids when traction suddenly returns.
3
Gradually release throttle pressure
The car decelerates gently through natural drag until the tread displaces the water film and reconnects with the road surface.
Allows tyre treads sufficient time to channel water away and re-establish physical grip.

Key Concept

Aquaplaning Driver Response and Vehicle Control
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Wet Weather and Aquaplaning

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