This year, a woman was killed in her truck when her vehicle hydroplaned and swung into oncoming traffic. It was announced that her husband had been driving the truck on the highway and the woman was instantaneously killed upon impact. The truck ran into an elderly couple who were sent to the hospital where they were later released, but the man driving the truck will face charges as a result of the accident. Hydroplaning occurs when water in front of a vehicle's tires builds up creating water pressure. The tread on tires were created to deplete water build up underneath tires to resist hydroplaning. Yet, in rainy conditions a little bit of water can render the tread useless, making it very dangerous to drive.

When driving in rainy elements, no matter how good a driver's reaction time, perception, or peripheral vision are, their senses will always be decreased. Therefore, it is important to exercise more caution when driving in these environments. When you know that you could be driving in inclement weather, it is suggested to check to see if your vehicle has antilock brakes since it is a useful tool in hydroplaning experiences. Antilock brakes pump the brakes more efficiently than any human. While hydroplaning, sources suggest that pumping the brakes is far more effective result than braking hard; braking hard is dangerous and could send you into a spin. The best advice given is to gently tap on the brake and steer the driver's wheel. In this process, it is imperative to keep the nose of the car straight so that you can steer to the side of the road; you may have to turn the wheel in order to straighten out the car. Also, any sudden turns are discouraged since this too may send you in a spin.

Yet, hydroplaning is a preventable mishap when executing proper procedure before driving in rainy conditions. Windshield wipers should be effective and in good conditions to increase visibility. Also, newer tires are better in rainy water since their treading is more capable of pulling water from underneath the tires. Tires should be inflated properly, and be replaced when the treading is no longer effective. It is also important to resist skidding by driving slower in rainy conditions.

Remember, if it has not rained in awhile, the first couple hours are the most dangerous time period to be traveling. One source reports that the buildup of oils and greases on the road combined with the downpour of water makes the road especially slippery. After the first couple hours, the water washes the engine oil and grease off of the road. Also keep in mind that when skidding occurs it is important to steer into the skid. Braking hard when in a skid is the biggest mistake a person could make, unless your car has ABS. To avoid a skid in rainy environments, apply a medium amount of force on the brake pedal. If your vehicle does not possess that amenity, do not brake hard.

It is also important to use common sense when driving: don't tailgate; drive in the tracks of the car ahead of you, turn your headlights on, don't drive off of the road, and don't drive through puddles. When behind buses or tucks it is helpful to give a bigger leeway as these vehicles tend to spray large amounts of water to the sides and behind them. The middle lane in any given road is where the least build up of water is and is the suggested lane to drive in. While all these tactics are useful, the most important advice is to slow down and maintain a safe distance from the cars in front of you; do not give into peer pressure while driving and use caution to set a pace that is safe for you and your loved ones.