What happens during hydroplaning?

During hydroplaning, the tires lose all traction with the road surface due to a layer of water between the tires and the roadway. This phenomenon occurs when a vehicle travels at a high speed over a wet surface, causing water to accumulate in front of the tires faster than it can be dispersed. As the water builds up, the contact area between the tire and the road becomes diminished, resulting in a loss of grip. Consequently, steering and braking control are drastically compromised, potentially leading to dangerous situations, such as the inability to control the vehicle’s direction. This scenario emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining proper tire tread depth and driving at appropriate speeds in wet conditions to minimize the risk of hydroplaning.