Video: What to Do When Your Car Hydroplanes

While driving in rain, you can’t take traction for granted. A vehicle’s grip on the road hinges on a small area of contact known as the tire footprint. But that footprint can be affected by the amount of water on the road, the speed of the vehicle, and tire conditions (tread and inflation).

During a rainstorm, a road doesn't have to become flooded to become dangerous.

According to AAA, at 30 mph or less, properly inflated tires with good tread will tend to maintain contact on wet roads. But at 60 mph, for example, water might fully separate tires from the road and cause hydroplaning.

To help prevent hydroplaning, drivers need to slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply, and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead, AAA said. Also, drivers shouldn’t use cruise control in wet conditions.

To learn more about hydroplaning, click on the link below the photo and view an ABC News video on the subject. The video includes advice from Consumer Reports. You may want to pass this along to fleet drivers as a friendly reminder.

To view another video offering wet weather tips, click here.