What is "hydroplaning"?

Hydroplaning refers specifically to the loss of contact between a vehicle's tires and the road surface caused by a layer of water. When water accumulates on the road, and a vehicle travels over it, the tires can lose grip, and the car may slide uncontrollably on the water. This phenomenon can start to occur even at relatively low speeds if there is enough standing water, making it a critical safety concern for drivers.

Understanding hydroplaning is essential for drivers, as it emphasizes the importance of slowing down in wet conditions and ensuring proper tire maintenance to minimize the risk of losing traction. Ensuring that tires have adequate tread is vital to help channel water away and maintain grip on the roadway. In contrast, the other choices do not accurately define hydroplaning; spinning out of control does not specifically involve water, steering correction methods are unrelated to traction loss, and driving without headlights in rain is about visibility, not traction.