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Here's what to do if you hydroplane

The most important thing? Don't panic.
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When roads are slick from heavy rains, the danger increases for drivers to hydroplane.

Hydroplaning happens when water on the surface of the road separates the tires from the ground, causing it to lose traction. That can lead to a driver losing control of their vehicle.

So what do can you do if you find yourself in a situation where you hydroplane? Here are some tips from DefensiveDriving.com.

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1. Don't panic. The important thing is to keep calm if your vehicle starts to hydroplane. If not, it could likely lead to loss of control.

2. Don't brake or accelerate suddenly. Because hydroplaning leads to a loss of traction to front tires, in most situations sudden braking slows the front tires and locks the rear tires. That can lead to a spin out. Also, sudden acceleration can pull the vehicle ahead, which especially dangerous if it's pointed at a hazard ahead.

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3. If you start to hydroplane, look for open space and plan to travel in that direction. Keep your foot lightly on the accelerator before easing off it, and steer toward the space you've identified.

4. Don't drive with the cruise control in the rain. With cruise control on, the vehicle may recognize the build up of water as a slow down and "ask" for more power. This could cause the car to shift to a lower gear and build even more water under the tires.

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