When driving in steady rain, how can you tell that hydroplaning might occur?

Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water on the road prevents your vehicle’s tires from making direct contact with the pavement, which can lead to loss of control. Observing the vehicle in front of you creating water splashes is a key indicator that the surface may have enough water for hydroplaning to happen. This action suggests that the road conditions are slick, and if it is happening to the vehicle ahead, it is likely that similar conditions exist for your own vehicle.

Noticing the water splashes indicates that the road may be saturated enough that tires can lose traction. It serves as a warning sign to adjust your speed and following distance, as you may soon experience similar effects if conditions do not improve.

Other scenarios, such as the road appearing wet without visible flooding or puddles only on the shoulder, do not necessarily indicate that hydroplaning is imminent. While quietness from the vehicle due to excessive water under the tires could suggest a risk, it is less direct than observing another vehicle splashing water. The splash provides the most immediate and clear cue that hydroplaning could soon be a problem for any vehicles traveling at high speeds on that stretch of road.