Hydroplaning — New Mexico Permit Test

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

Above that speed the tires begin to ride up on the water and lose their grip.

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

When tires ride up on the water like water skis as you go faster, it is called hydroplaning; in heavy rain tires can lose all traction at about 50 mph.

Once the tires float on water, you cannot steer or brake until they touch the road again.

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

Bald or badly worn tires will lose traction at much lower speeds; the best way to keep from hydroplaning is to slow down when the road is wet.

Worn tires cannot push water away, so they float on it even at low speed.

The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet.

If your tires lose traction with the road, ease your foot off the gas pedal.

Letting off the gas slows the car gently so the tires can settle back onto the road.

Ease your foot off the gas pedal.

If your tires lose traction, keep the steering wheel straight and do not try to stop or turn until the tires grip the road again.

Turning or braking while the tires float can throw the car into a skid.

Keep the steering wheel straight.

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

About 35 mph. Above that speed the tires begin to ride up on the water and lose their grip. New Mexico Driver Manual, p.20: “When it is raining or the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph.”