Hydroplaning — Arkansas Permit Test

When it is raining or the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to 35 mph.

Above that speed water builds up under the tires faster than the tread can push it away.

When it is raining, or the road is wet; most tires have good traction up to 35mph.

In heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at 50 mph.

With no traction the tires ride on the water like skis, and you can neither steer nor brake.

In heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at 50 mph.

The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to keep your speed down.

The faster you go, the more the tires rise up onto the water instead of pressing through it to the road.

The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to keep your speed down.

Worn tires can cause your car to hydroplane.

Worn tread has little room left to channel water away, so the tire floats on it sooner.

Worn tires can cause your car to hydroplane.

If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, slowly take your foot off the gas pedal.

Easing off lets the car slow until the tires reach the road again, without the jolt that starts a skid.

Slowly take your foot off the gas pedal.

While hydroplaning, keep the steering wheel straight and turn it only in an emergency, and then slowly.

A tire floating on water cannot steer, and a sharp turn when it grips again can throw the car into a skid.

Keep the steering wheel straight.

After hydroplaning, do not try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again.

Braking or turning while the tires ride on water does nothing until they grip, and then it can spin the car.

Do not try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again.

On a wet road, up to about what speed do most tires keep good traction?

35 mph. Above that speed water builds up under the tires faster than the tread can push it away. Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, p.55: “When it is raining, or the road is wet; most tires have good traction up to 35mph.”