Hydro-planingA Ten-Minute Training

PresentationFrom Safety First

Hydroplaning1. Introduction2. Contributing Factors3. How to Avoid …

4. How to know when …5. How to Recover …6. Summary

Training Topic Agenda

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1. IntroductionApril showers brings hydroplaning

* 75% of weather-related crashes occur on wet pavement*

* 47% involve active rainfall**15% involve snow or sleet ** 13% involve ice/freezing rain**11% a mix of snow/slush covered pavement*

• Weather-related crashes occur in adverse weather i.e.;

⁄ Rain⁄ Sleet⁄ Snow⁄ Fog

• or on slick pavement i.e.; \ Wet \ Snow/slush covered\ Icy/frozen/untreated pavement

*Nearly 7,400 people are killed and over 673,000 are injured in weather-related crashes every year.*

*Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) stats*

• Hydroplaning is when a layer of water builds up between the vehicle’s tires and the road surface causing the loss of traction and possible control.

• Tires enable vehicles to start, stop, change speed and turn, but only if they can “grip” the road.

• Car and truck tires are designed to push away rain, snow, and mud, but sometimes a tire may come upon more water than it can displace.

When a tire cannot move water aside the water pressure in front of the wheel forces a wedge of water under the leading edge of the tire. This causes the tire to lift off the surface of the road. The tire then “skates” on a sheet of water with little or no direct contact with the road. Without proper contact the ability to steer, brake, or accelerate is compromised.

When a vehicle’s tire actually lifts up off the road, it loses traction becomes uncontrollable.

When multiple tires hydroplane this can cause the vehicle to lose directional control until it either crashes or slows down enough for one or more tires to contact the road again and regain traction (friction).

When multiple tires hydroplane this can cause the vehicle to lose directional control until it either crashes or slows down enough for one or more tires to contact the road again and regain traction (friction).

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When a tire cannot move water aside the water pressure in front of the wheel forces a wedge of water under the leading edge of the tire. This causes the tire to lift off the surface of the road. The tire then “skates” on a sheet of water with little or no direct contact with the road. Without proper contact the ability to steer, brake, or accelerate is compromised.

When a vehicle’s tire actually lifts up off the road, it loses traction becomes uncontrollable.

Surface of road

2. Contributing Factors … Inadequate tread depth – the grooves on tires channel water, snow, and slush away so the treads can “grip” the road.If tire grooves are too shallow or non-existent the tire can spin without effectively gripping the road. Quarter test: If the top of Washington’s head is at the top of the tread, the tread depth is OK (4/32”) but getting close to inadequate.Penny test: If the top of Lincoln’s head is at the top of the tread, the tread depth is less than 2/32”. It is inadequate and the tire needs to be replaced.

Quarter test: If the top of Washington’s head is at the top of the tread, the tread depth is OK (4/32”) but getting close to inadequate.

Penny test: If the top of Lincoln’s head is at the top of the tread, the tread depth is less than 2/32”. It is inadequate and the tire needs to be replaced.

Speed – as a vehicle’s velocity increases, tires can ride up on top of snow, ice, and water. As the wheels turn faster, they lose the ability to channel away water, snow, and slush. Hydroplaning can happen at speeds as low as 30 mph.

Slow down if driving through standing water cannot be avoided.

Water depth – caused by heavy downpours or poor drainage contributes to the possibility of hydroplaning. Loss of traction can occur on any wet road, but all drivers must be extra careful when encountering large pools/sheets of standing water.

Improperly inflated tires

Improperly inflated tires – especially under inflated – Under inflated tires do not effectively push away water

Over inflated tires do not provide maximum traction or “grip.”

3. How to Avoid Hydroplaning

SLOW DOWN• Slow down before driving

across large puddles.• Slow down during heavy

downpours –water may not be able to run off highway surfaces quickly enough.

• Take your foot off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to slow down gradually. Immediately stepping on the brakes can cause the wheels to slide.

Proper maintenance & driving behaviors

• Before you encounter hydroplaning conditions – make sure the vehicle is in top condition: check tire pressure; tread depth and condition; use the right tire design for the vehicle and type of driving.

• In extreme weather eliminate distractions while driving (concentrate on the feel of the vehicle and its sounds).

• Follow the directions offered by the vehicle manufacturer for braking with Antilock Brakes (ABS) if the vehicle is equipped with this feature.

• Do not use “cruise control” when conditions for hydroplaning are present. A vehicle’s tires can speed up when they lose contact with the surface of the road and ride on top of the water.

• Do not tailgate – but follow in the tracks of a preceding vehicle.

4. How to know when a vehicle is hydroplaning.

• If a vehicle’s drive wheels are hydroplaning, engine RPMs may suddenly increase as the wheels spin on top of the water.

• While driving straight a vehicle may vibrate or “wiggle” in the steering mechanism, or feel like the steering is “loose” or “soft.”

• Not seeing tire tracks (in the mirror) immediately behind the vehicle may be due to the tires not “cutting through” the water effectively.

• Any sideways motion (skidding, fishtailing, etc.) while navigating curves is a strong indicator of hydroplaning.

For Example: if the rear end of the vehicle slides to the RIGHT, steer quickly and smoothly to the RIGHT. This is known as “turning into the slide.”

• If a vehicle is sliding, skidding and/or fishtailing, taking your foot off the accelerator – do not hit the brakes. The sudden application of brakes can lock the wheels, contribute to the slide, and loss of control. As the tires slow down, traction should return.

• Do not make sudden moves with the steering wheel (if already in control) – do not try to swerve to see if you are hydroplaning – it might not end well.

• If in a slide, allow the vehicle to slow down to get traction and make gradual moves instead of sharp, sudden movements.

How to Recover from

Hydroplaning

Summary: Avoid

Hydroplaning• Slow down during extreme weather and slippery roads

• Avoid driving through standing water

• Stay calm if the vehicle begins to hydroplane

• Reduce speed to recover traction and control

• Give extra space between vehicles

• Make sure tires are properly inflated, have adequate tread depths, and are the right type for the vehicle

Hydroplaning Print and post: SafetyFirst Systems, LLC MTMTT- April 2016

• Slow down before driving across large puddles.

• Slow down during heavy downpours –water may not run off the highway surfaces quickly enough.

• Take your foot off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to slow down gradually. – Immediately stepping on the

brake can cause the wheels to slide*. *Follow the directions offered by the vehicle manufacturer for braking with Antilock Brakes (ABS) if the vehicle is equipped with this feature

• Check tire pressure, tread depth and condition • Eliminate distractions

– concentrate on the feel and the sounds of the vehicle

• Do not use “cruise control” when conditions for hydroplaning are present.

– A vehicle’s tires can speed up when they lose contact with the surface of the road and ride on top of water.

• Do not tailgate – consider following in the tracks of a preceding vehicle.

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) stats:– 75% of weather-related crashes occur on

wet pavement– Nearly 7,400 people are killed and over

673,000 are injured in weather-related crashes every year.

Print and post: SafetyFirst Systems, LLC MTMTT- March 2016 *If the vehicle is equipped with Antilock Brakes (ABS) read and follow the directions offered by the vehicle manufacturer for this feature.

Slow Down Proper maintenance & driving behaviors