What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle's tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water between the tires and the pavement. This phenomenon typically happens when there is more water on the road than the tires can displace, often at higher speeds, causing the vehicle to float on the surface of the water rather than maintain traction with the road. As a result, the driver may experience a complete loss of steering control, which can lead to dangerous situations, including skidding or spinning.

The other choices relate to different vehicle issues: overheating brakes could result in decreased stopping effectiveness but is not related to the interaction of tires with water; an engine stalling refers to a mechanical failure that stops the engine from running; and debris blocking tires does not specifically involve water and traction loss but could affect handling or cause other vehicular issues. Understanding hydroplaning is crucial for safe driving, especially in rainy conditions, as it emphasizes the importance of reducing speed and maintaining proper tire maintenance to minimize the risk.