Aquaplaning: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Stay Safe on Wet South Australian Roads
Aquaplaning: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Stay Safe on Wet South Australian Roads
Why Most Drivers Who Aquaplane Never See It Coming – Until They Crash
Picture this: you’re driving through the Adelaide Hills on a quiet, drizzly morning. Maybe you’ve just passed Mount Barker, or you’re cruising along the Southern Expressway toward the city. The road is damp — not flooded, not dangerous-looking — just wet enough to notice. You go to take a bend… and suddenly, your steering wheel feels light. The car skids forward. No traction. No control. For a terrifying few seconds, your vehicle isn’t touching the road at all.
That’s aquaplaning — and it happens faster than most drivers can react.
Also known as hydroplaning, aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between your tyres and the road, causing your vehicle to lose contact with the surface. When this happens, your car effectively “floats,” meaning your steering, braking, and stability are compromised — often completely.
And here’s the frightening part: it doesn’t take a downpour. Just a few millimetres of standing water, slightly worn tyres, and a speed over 70 km/h can be enough to send your car sliding.
For drivers in South Australia, this is more than a theoretical danger. Our autumn and winter months bring an unpredictable mix of rain, cold snaps, and slick roads — especially in rural areas, on bitumen backroads, or even on city highways where drainage is poor. Every year, aquaplaning contributes to serious accidents across the state — often when drivers least expect it.
In this article, we’ll explain:
- What aquaplaning is
- Why it’s more common in SA than most people think
- How to spot it early and respond safely
- And what steps you can take to prevent it altogether
Whether you’re driving to work, heading up to the Riverland, or just navigating your local school run, understanding aquaplaning could literally save your life this winter.
What Is Aquaplaning — And Why It’s So Dangerous
Aquaplaning — sometimes referred to as hydroplaning — is a phenomenon that occurs when a vehicle’s tyres encounter more water than they can disperse. When this happens, a thin layer of water builds up beneath the tyres, lifting them off the surface of the road. In that moment, your car is no longer in full contact with the bitumen — it’s essentially gliding on water.
This isn’t just a technical issue. It’s a complete loss of control.
When your tyres aren’t touching the road, it means:
- Your steering becomes unresponsive
- Your braking becomes ineffective
- Your vehicle’s stability becomes compromised
And all of this can happen in seconds, often without warning. One moment you’re in control — the next, you’re sliding across the road or into oncoming traffic. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced driver or a cautious one. Aquaplaning doesn’t give you time to adjust or correct — it just happens.
What Causes It?
Several conditions increase the risk:
- Wet surfaces with standing water or poor drainage
- Worn tyres or those with low tread depth (less than 1.5mm is illegal in Australia, but the danger begins even before that)
- Higher speeds — aquaplaning typically occurs at 70 km/h and above
- Sudden braking or sharp turning on a wet road
Even newer tyres can struggle if you’re travelling fast enough or hit a large enough puddle.
Where It Strikes in SA
This danger is especially pronounced on:
- Rural bitumen roads with uneven surfaces
- City streets where drains overflow or water pools near curbs
- High-speed highways during or after rain, especially in low-lying areas
South Australian drivers often underestimate the risk, especially during early autumn rains. When water mixes with oil and dirt that has built up during summer, it creates a slippery film that makes aquaplaning even more likely.
Why Aquaplaning Is a Serious Risk on South Australian Roads
While aquaplaning can happen anywhere, it’s a particularly serious threat on South Australian roads — and autumn and winter are prime seasons for it.
The Hidden Danger in First Rains
In South Australia, the first rains of autumn can be the most dangerous. After months of dry conditions, our roads accumulate a slick layer of dust, oil, and grime. When it finally rains, this layer mixes with the water to form a slippery film — essentially turning the road into an ice rink. This makes it much easier for tyres to lose traction and aquaplane, especially if they’re not in peak condition.
Rural and Regional Roads Are Especially At Risk
Drivers outside metro Adelaide — especially in the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Riverland, and Barossa — face even more hazards:
- Older road surfaces may not drain well
- Limited shoulder space can mean less room to recover during a slide
- Higher speed zones on country roads make aquaplaning more likely
- Winding hills or tree-lined roads can hide standing water until it’s too late
Many of these roads weren’t designed with modern water runoff systems in mind, meaning even a brief downpour can result in puddling and flash flooding.
Urban Risk: Don’t Be Fooled by City Streets
City drivers aren’t immune either. Suburban and inner-city roads often suffer from:
- Blocked storm drains causing water to pool near intersections or kerbs
- Smooth bitumen surfaces with less grip
- Frequent braking and accelerating, which can make aquaplaning harder to recover from
And with increased traffic, one person’s aquaplane incident can quickly become a multi-car collision.
Statistical Insight
While specific aquaplaning data in South Australia is limited, national and local road safety reports routinely identify wet weather as a major contributor to crash rates, particularly between May and August. In 2022 alone, wet roads were a factor in over 15% of serious injury crashes reported by SA Police, with many incidents occurring during early rainfall events or in rural zones.
How to Tell If You’re Aquaplaning — And What to Do
Aquaplaning can catch even the most careful driver off guard. One moment you’re in control — the next, you’re gliding across the road with no response from your steering or brakes. Knowing the early warning signs and how to react in the moment can make the difference between a close call and a serious crash.
How to Know You’re Aquaplaning
These are the key indicators:
- Steering feels loose or unresponsive
- The engine revs increase suddenly without acceleration from the wheels
- Braking has no effect — the car feels like it’s sliding or drifting
- You hear a splash or water noise followed by a sudden lightness in the steering
Often, drivers won’t realise they’re aquaplaning until it’s already happening — which is why calm, automatic reaction is crucial.
What To Do If You’re Aquaplaning
- Ease off the accelerator – Gently take your foot off the gas. Don’t slam on the brakes.
- Keep your hands on the wheel – Steer gently in the direction you want to go. Don’t overcorrect.
- Avoid braking suddenly – If you must brake, do so very lightly — and only if your car has ABS.
- Let the car slow down naturally – Once your tyres regain contact with the road, you’ll feel traction return and can then regain full control.
What NOT To Do
- Don’t slam on the brakes — it can cause a total skid.
- Don’t yank the steering wheel — oversteering can lead to spinouts or rollovers.
- Don’t panic — sudden reactions often make aquaplaning more dangerous.
Aquaplaning is all about speed, water, and tyre condition. But once you’re in it, your response time and calmness become the real safety tools. That’s why understanding the warning signs now — before it happens — is one of the smartest moves any South Australian driver can make.
How to Prevent Aquaplaning Before It Starts
Aquaplaning might seem unpredictable, but in many cases, it’s preventable. By taking a few simple precautions — especially during South Australia’s wetter months — drivers can significantly reduce the risk of losing control on slippery roads. Here’s how to stay ahead of the danger.
1. Keep Your Tyres in Optimal Condition
Your tyres are your vehicle’s only contact point with the road. If they’re worn, underinflated, or of poor quality, they won’t be able to effectively channel water away — making aquaplaning much more likely.
- Check your tread depth regularly. The legal minimum in Australia is 1.5 mm, but safety experts recommend replacing tyres once the tread wears below 3 mm in wet-weather seasons.
- Inspect tyres for uneven wear and replace them if bald spots or low-pressure areas are detected.
- Ensure your tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure — found on the sticker inside your driver’s door or in your owner’s manual. Underinflated tyres reduce your ability to grip the road.
Especially in South Australia, where long stretches of rural and regional roads can be uneven or poorly drained, tyre condition plays a crucial role in safe driving.
2. Adjust Your Speed in Wet Conditions
Speed is one of the key factors in aquaplaning incidents. The faster you drive, the less time your tyres have to push water aside. Even high-performance tyres lose their effectiveness if you’re going too fast for the conditions.
- Reduce your speed by 10 to 20 km/h on wet roads, particularly in areas with known drainage issues or high traffic volume.
- Be cautious around curves, intersections, and on unfamiliar or older road surfaces.
In heavy rain or on roads with visible pooling water, even a small reduction in speed can dramatically improve safety.
3. Drive Smoothly and Avoid Cruise Control
Abrupt driving inputs can destabilise your vehicle on wet roads. Gentle braking, smooth acceleration, and steady steering are all essential when driving in rain.
- Avoid using cruise control during wet conditions. While it’s convenient, it can delay your reaction time if you suddenly need to regain control of your vehicle.
- Avoid sudden lane changes, harsh braking, or accelerating too quickly from a stop — especially at traffic lights or roundabouts where water often accumulates.
The key is maintaining as much control as possible, and that starts with staying engaged behind the wheel.
4. Maintain Visibility
Being able to see clearly — and be seen — is a major factor in preventing accidents during wet weather.
- Replace your windscreen wipers at least once a year or as soon as they begin to streak or squeak.
- Keep your windscreen clean, inside and out, to prevent glare or fogging.
- Make sure your headlights and taillights are clean and in working order to increase visibility for yourself and other drivers.
South Australia’s rainy days often come with overcast skies, mist, and early evening darkness, making visibility a major safety factor on the road.
5. Prepare Before the Weather Turns
Being proactive before autumn and winter rainfall begins can save you from major issues later.
- Book a pre-season safety check with a trusted mechanic or repair shop. They can inspect your tyres, brakes, suspension, and wipers to ensure everything is rain-ready.
- Avoid flood-prone routes if heavy rain is forecast, and plan alternate travel routes in advance.
- Allow extra travel time so you’re not rushing — aquaplaning incidents often occur when drivers speed up to “make up time” in poor weather.
Safety Tech and Tyre Choices That Could Save You
While smart driving and regular maintenance are the first lines of defence against aquaplaning, advancements in modern vehicle technology and tyre design can provide an added safety edge — particularly in wet, unpredictable conditions common during South Australia’s autumn and winter.
1. Tyre Design Matters More Than You Think
Not all tyres are equal when it comes to wet-weather performance. Choosing the right type can significantly reduce the likelihood of aquaplaning.
- Wet-grip rated tyres: Many tyre manufacturers include a “wet grip” rating on their products. Look for tyres that perform well in independent tests, especially those designed for wet braking and traction.
- Directional tread patterns: Tyres with V-shaped grooves are particularly effective at channelling water away from the tyre, maintaining contact with the road surface.
- Wide circumferential grooves: These help drain water efficiently and reduce the risk of a water layer forming beneath the tyre.
Investing in high-quality tyres may cost more upfront, but the improved safety in wet conditions makes it a worthwhile decision — especially for regional or high-speed driving in SA.
2. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC is a life-saving feature that is now standard in most modern vehicles. It detects loss of steering control and automatically applies braking to individual wheels to help the driver regain stability.
- ESC is especially useful during a skid or partial aquaplane, where one or more tyres lose grip.
- In South Australia, where roads can quickly switch from dry to wet — especially after scattered showers — ESC can make the difference between a controlled recovery and a dangerous slide.
3. Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)
ABS prevents your wheels from locking up under hard braking. This is particularly valuable on wet or slippery roads, where locked wheels can send the vehicle into an uncontrolled skid.
- With ABS, you can apply firm, consistent pressure to the brake pedal without the fear of wheel lock-up.
- Most new cars are equipped with ABS, but it’s always worth confirming if you’re buying a used vehicle.
ABS doesn’t prevent aquaplaning itself, but it helps regain control faster once traction returns.
4. Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
Underinflated tyres are a major contributor to aquaplaning risk. TPMS alerts you when one or more tyres are below optimal pressure, giving you time to correct the issue before it becomes dangerous.
- Tyre pressure drops naturally in cooler months — something that often goes unnoticed.
- A TPMS adds peace of mind and ensures you’re getting the full benefit of your tyre’s grip, handling, and water-dispersing ability.
5. Book a Wet-Weather Safety Check
Even with the best tyres and technology, regular inspections remain essential. A wet-weather safety check can identify worn components, misaligned wheels, or degraded brakes — all of which affect your control on slippery roads.
Local repairers like Dynamic Paint N Panel can assess your vehicle’s condition heading into winter and help you make smart decisions about tyres, brakes, and handling systems before heavy rainfall hits.
Don’t Wait for the Skid to Learn the Lesson
Aquaplaning doesn’t just happen during storms or floods. It can occur on any South Australian road, in just a few millimetres of water, when the conditions are right — or more accurately, wrong. And the most alarming part? You often don’t realise it’s happening until you’ve already lost control.
But the truth is, aquaplaning is largely preventable.
By maintaining your tyres, adjusting your driving style, avoiding cruise control in the rain, and leveraging modern vehicle safety systems like ESC and ABS, you give yourself the best possible chance of avoiding disaster. Combine that with regular safety checks — particularly before autumn and winter — and you’re already ahead of most drivers.
At Dynamic Paint N Panel, we’ve seen the consequences of aquaplaning firsthand. From minor panel damage to serious collisions, the costs are real — and often avoidable.
If your tyres haven’t been checked in a while, or if you’re unsure whether your car is ready for South Australia’s wet season, now is the time to act. Book in for a pre-winter vehicle inspection and get peace of mind before the weather takes a turn.
Because on wet roads, control isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
