What should you do if your vehicle begins to hydroplane?

When a vehicle begins to hydroplane, the correct response is to ease off the accelerator and steer straight. Hydroplaning occurs when water on the road surface causes the tires to lose contact, leading to a loss of traction. By easing off the accelerator, you allow the vehicle to slow down gradually, which can help the tires regain contact with the road surface. Steering straight helps maintain control of the vehicle, as turning can lead to further instability and increase the risk of skidding.

Accelerating in this situation can worsen the hydroplaning effect by increasing the speed at which the tires lose contact with the road. Braking hard can also lead to loss of control as it may cause the vehicle to skid. Lastly, turning sharply is risky during hydroplaning because it can cause the vehicle to spin out, compounding the loss of control. Therefore, the safest approach when hydroplaning is to ease off the accelerator and steer straight to help re-establish traction.