Aquaplaning or hydroplaning by the tires of a road vehicle, aircraft or other wheeled vehicle occurs when a layer of water builds between the wheels of the vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the vehicle from responding to control inputs and causes serious accidents. If it occurs to all wheels simultaneously, the vehicle becomes, in effect, an uncontrolled sled. Aquaplaning is a different phenomenon from water on the roadway merely acting a lubricant. Traction is diminished on wet pavement even when aquaplaning is not occurring (see Wikipedia).
A young woman died Sunday morning after her car hydroplaned on the interstate in Wilson County and crashed head on into a garbage truck. Be wary of driving on rained on streets, covered in water, the danger is the total loss of control of your vehicle that can cause injury or death to you or others. The first 10-15 minutes after it starts to rain poses the most danger because the rain stirs up sediment and oil on the surface of the road. Slow down if you see visible puddles of water on the road. Drive in the tracks of any vehicle in front of you. Do not use cruise control when it is raining, your reaction time is slowed when cruise control is used and you are not as alert and more relaxed when cruise control is on. Avoid sudden turns, braking and be alert on curvy roads. Drive safe and avoid accidents.
