Hydroplaning — Kansas Permit Test

In Kansas, when it is raining or the road is wet, modern tires have stable traction up to about 30 mph.

Below about thirty the tires still cut through the water. Above it they start to float.

When it is raining, or the road is wet, modern tires have stable traction up to about 30 mph.

As a Kansas driver goes faster than 35 mph on a wet road, the steering tires start to ride up on pooled water, which is called hydroplaning.

The tire stops touching the road and rides on water instead. Steering and braking both stop working.

as you go faster than 35 mph, the steering tires will start to ride up on any pooled water, similar to the action of water skis.

In heavy rain a Kansas driver's tires can lose all traction with the road at 45 to 50 mph due to water pushing against the tires.

At that point the car is sliding on water and nothing you do at the wheel reaches the road.

In a heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at 45-50 mph due to the water pushing against the tires as the vehicle is moving forward.

Badly worn tires in Kansas will lose traction at much lower speeds, 25 to 30 mph.

Worn tread has nowhere to push the water. The same puddle that is harmless on good tires floats bad ones.

Badly worn tires will lose traction at much lower speeds (25-30 mph).

The best way for a Kansas driver to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet with pooled water or puddles.

There is no technique that beats it once it starts. Speed is the only thing that stops it happening.

The best way to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet with pooled water or water puddles.

Up to what speed do modern tires have stable traction on a wet Kansas road?

About 30 mph. Below about thirty the tires still cut through the water. Above it they start to float. Kansas Driving Handbook, p.60: “When it is raining, or the road is wet, modern tires have stable traction up to about 30 mph.”