What causes the risk of hydroplaning to increase?

The risk of hydroplaning increases significantly with increased speed. When a vehicle travels at higher speeds, the tires have less time to displace the water on the road surface. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the tires and the road, leading to a loss of traction. Specifically, if the vehicle is moving too fast, the tires may not be able to push all the water aside, causing them to ride on top of the water instead of making contact with the road surface. This can lead to a critical loss of control.

While heavy rain conditions can contribute to the presence of water on the road, the severity of hydroplaning is more directly influenced by how fast a vehicle is traveling over that water. Although rough road surfaces and low tire pressure can affect overall vehicle handling and performance, they do not specifically enhance the conditions for hydroplaning in the same way that increased speed does.