Practice question

What should you do if hydroplaning occurs?

  1. Accelerate quickly to regain control
  2. Steer hard left or right to correct
  3. Ease off the accelerator and steer straight
  4. Brake suddenly to stop the vehicle

Answer: C — Ease off the accelerator and steer straight

When hydroplaning occurs, the best course of action is to ease off the accelerator and steer straight. Hydroplaning happens when a layer of water on the road prevents the tires from making contact with the pavement, leading to a loss of traction. By gently easing off the accelerator, you allow the vehicle to slow down gradually, which can help regain traction once the tires re-establish contact with the road. Steering straight helps maintain control of the vehicle, as making sudden maneuvers can further destabilize it and increase the risk of spinning out. This cautious approach minimizes the chances of losing control and maximizes the likelihood of safely recovering from the hydroplaning situation.

Practice more: Texas Drivers Ed Written Practice Test →