More storms in Mid-Missouri means more hydroplaning danger on roads
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 70% of weather-related accidents in the U.S. happen on wet pavement.
That includes hydroplaning.
And Mid-Missouri drivers might need to be wary of hydroplaning Thursday night when storms are expected to hit the area again.
ABC 17 News Weather Alert Day is in effect as Mid-Missouri. Storms are expected to fire up late afternoon and continue into the nighttime.
Hydroplaning is when your tires drive over wet pavement or standing water, causing you to lose traction and the ability to steer because your tire has lost contact with the road. One step to avoid hydroplaning is to make sure you have good tires.
Insurance company Progressive says tires are designed to displace water so they can stay in contact with the road. The amount of water displacement depends on the rubber formulation, the depths of the tire's tread and other tire designs.
Bridgestone Tire says tread depth is critical when to avoid hydroplaning. Worn tires should be replaced as soon as possible to ensure safe driving conditions on wet pavement. The article from Bridgestone Tire states "even the best tires on the road offer little resistance to hydroplaning when their tread is worn down to 2/32nd of an inch or less."
Make sure your tires are rotated regularly and check the tire pressure. Keep it at the recommended level because under- or over-inflating your tires can increase the likelihood of hydroplaning.
Another way to avoid hydroplaning is to slow down and pay attention when driving and avoid using cruise control. Missouri law says drivers must use the highest degree of care behind the wheel because they will be held responsible for weather-related accidents.
According to the Cofman Townsley Law Firm in St. Louis, drivers who disregard road safety rules and engage in dangerous behavior during rainy weather can be responsible for a hydroplaning accident. The most common situations are speeding, tires in poor condition, not following the rules of the road and ignoring weather conditions.
If you find yourself hydroplaning, do not panic.
Take your foot off the gas and coast so the car can slow down. Do not slam on the brakes because that can cause your car to spin out of control.
If you find yourself in a skid, steer in the direction of the skid, it'll make it easier to control when your tires regain traction. It's important to wait until you have control of the car again.
Let the car slow down on its own while it makes its way through the wet patch -- the car is easier to control when slowing down.
