WHAT IS AQUAPLANING AND HOW TO AVOID IT

Aquaplaning is a frightening experience, but following our top tips can cut the risk of it happening to you

- Tom Jervis

AQUAPLANING occurs when a layer of water forms between the tread of your tyres and the surface of the road. This breaks contact between the two, meaning your car will stop responding to your inputs on the braking, steering and acceleration.

The tread in your car tyres is designed to dissipate water on the road. But if there's more water than the tread can deal with, the car can start to ride up on it and aquaplane.

Another scenario is when a surplus of water builds up in front of the tyre as you are driving. At this moment, the water can lift the tyre up, so again the car starts to aquaplane.

Aquaplaning predominantly affects the front wheels because the rears are usually following in the drier tracks left by those up front. This means that steering inputs will have no effect and, because a car's brakes are biased to the front, the majority of braking capability will be lost, too. The drive will also be affected in a front-wheel-drive car. If all four wheels are separated from the tarmac, you have lost control of your vehicle.

What to do if it happens