Dramatic Results Of Hydroplaning Cars
Posted on 21 December 2009 by Stenberg-Tendys W.L. in Travel
The accompanying photograph is the result of a hydroplaning vehicle in wet conditions.
A 36-year-old woman was recently involved in an accident that totaled her car. She was travelling between Wollongong and Sydney, in wet conditions, which were not excessive. Her car suddenly began to hydroplane and literally flew through the air. Fortunately she was not seriously injured, but very stunned by what had happened.
When she explained it to a policeman, he told her something that every driver should know – NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON.
The woman had thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain. The policeman informed her that if the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane – when your tyres lose contact with the road, the car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and take off like an aeroplane.
Hydroplaning accidents, also called aquaplaning or planing, are caused when a driver loses steering control because a layer of water on the roadway prevents direct contact between the tyres and the road surface. If there is uneven traction, the vehicle can veer to the low traction side. The resulting loss of friction causes the vehicle to lose braking, steering and power to the wheels, creating a complete loss of control by the driver. The vehicle skids until it collides with something else, or friction between the road and wheels is regained. Hydroplaning risks include deep water or heavy rain, speeding, imbalance/overloaded vehicle and poor tyre maintenance- worn out or underinflated tyres.
The policeman estimated the woman’s car was travelling through the air at 10 to 15 kms per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control. He believes a warning should be posted on the driver’s seat sunvisor – NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR ICY, alongside the airbag warning. No one is told to only use the cruise control when the road is dry.
The only person the accident victim found, who knew this (besides the policeman), was a man who had had a similar accident, totaled his car and sustained severe injuries. Passing this message on might save a life.
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21 December 2009
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good advice, i never rely on my cruise control unless its completely dry and i know the road conditions well…call me paranoid but i like my life and my car!