Aquaplaning: What South African Drivers Should Do
If your car aquaplanes, stay calm, ease off the accelerator, keep the steering smooth and avoid sudden braking. Wait for the tyres to regain contact with the road before making stronger steering or braking inputs.
Information checked: 26 October 2026. This guide draws on South African road-safety guidance; your vehicle handbook remains the model-specific authority.
Follow @motordeal_premium and @motordealpremium for practical motoring guidance.
What is aquaplaning?
Aquaplaning happens when a tyre cannot clear water quickly enough and rides on a layer of water instead of gripping the road. Steering and braking control can reduce suddenly.
What to do
- Stay calm and look where you want to go.
- Ease off the accelerator progressively.
- Hold the wheel securely and avoid sharp corrections.
- Avoid sudden braking; let the tyres regain grip.
- Reduce speed when grip returns and increase following distance.
Safety warning: Never deliberately practise aquaplaning. ABS and stability control cannot create grip while a tyre is separated from the road by water.
Reduce the risk
- Slow down before standing water.
- Increase following distance and use smooth inputs.
- Use headlights in poor visibility.
- Check cold tyre pressures against the vehicle placard or handbook.
- Replace damaged or excessively worn tyres.
- Avoid cruise control in wet conditions.
Standing water may hide danger
Water can hide a pothole, damaged road surface or unexpected depth. Do not cross a flooded road or low bridge when water is moving or its depth cannot be judged. Turn around and use a safer route.
After a severe event
Once safely parked, inspect tyres for cuts, bulges and visible damage. Get professional help if the vehicle struck a pothole, vibrates, pulls to one side, shows warning lights or took in water. Do not restart an engine that stalled in flood water.
Browse our showroom, review finance options, request a trade-in assessment, or contact us.
Sources
Follow the Motordeal Premium Facebook page and share this guide with someone who drives through summer storms.
