On the A7 near Joure it is raining hard and there is a lot of water on the road. You suddenly feel free play in the steering. What do you do first?
- Release the accelerator and hold the wheel still until the tyres regain grip by themselves
- ✓ Off the accelerator, clutch in, do not brake and keep steering where you want to go
- Brake firmly, so that you lose speed as quickly as possible and regain grip
Correct answer: Off the accelerator, clutch in, do not brake and keep steering where you want to go
Explanation
False — braking is the wrong reflex here. The tyres are floating on the water, so braking locks the wheels and you can no longer steer; ease off, clutch in, do not brake and keep steering
Why learners get this wrong
- Wrong — not braking is different from doing nothing. You also press the clutch and keep actively steering in the direction you want to go, until the tyres regain grip
- Wrong — braking is the wrong reflex here. The tyres are floating on the water, so braking locks the wheels and you can no longer steer; ease off, clutch in, do not brake and keep steering
Topic: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'
Read the rule: Core: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'
Sections
- Challenge: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'
- The model: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'
- Core: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'
- Why it matters: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'
- Active recall: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'
- Teach back: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'
- Memory hook: Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float'