Final answer:
Hydroplaning is usually caused by excessive speed, which leads to a layer of water building up between the tires and the road surface, resulting in a loss of traction. Maintaining appropriate speed for conditions and ensuring good tire tread are critical to avoid hydroplaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hydroplaning is typically caused by B. excessive speed. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the tires of a vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the vehicle from responding to control inputs. It's a dangerous condition that can result in a loss of steering, braking, and power control.
When a vehicle is traveling too fast in wet conditions, the tires cannot displace the water sufficiently fast enough, causing the vehicle to essentially 'float' on top of the water. This can also occur if the tires are worn out and unable to provide proper traction. To avoid hydroplaning, it's essential to maintain an appropriate speed that matches road conditions, ensure the vehicle's tires have adequate tread depth, and replace tires when necessary to prevent loss of traction.
While sudden turns and brake failure can also contribute to a lack of vehicle control, these are not the primary causes of hydroplaning. Proper vehicle maintenance and cautious driving are key to preventing hydroplaning and ensuring road safety.