What is the best way to prevent hydroplaning while driving?

Keeping your speed down is the best way to prevent hydroplaning while driving. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water on the road surface prevents direct contact between the tires and the pavement, causing a loss of traction. By reducing your speed, you give the tires a better chance to maintain contact with the road, allowing them to displace water more effectively. This is particularly critical during rain or on wet surfaces, where the risk of hydroplaning increases significantly at higher speeds.

In contrast, increasing your speed would exacerbate the risk as the tires struggle to maintain grip on the wet road. Changing lanes frequently can also lead to instability and reduce your reaction time, increasing the likelihood of losing control. Using cruise control is not advisable in wet conditions because it can lead to unwanted acceleration if hydroplaning occurs, which could worsen the situation. Therefore, maintaining a lower speed is a proactive measure in avoiding hydroplaning.