What should you do to reduce the risk of hydroplaning in wet conditions?

Prepare for the California DMV Traffic School Test. Study with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and understand with detailed explanations. Get cleared for your driving confidently!

Hydroplaning happens when a layer of water builds between the tire and the road, and the tire can’t push water out through its tread. To reduce the risk, slow down and use smooth, gentle steering and braking. This helps the tire maintain grip and stay in contact with the road as it can more effectively move water away. Keeping tires with good tread is essential because the tread channels water away from the contact patch; worn tires lose that ability, making hydroplaning more likely. Overinflating tires or speeding up don’t help and actually increase risk, and driving with the windows open doesn’t affect traction and is unsafe.