Final answer:
Hydroplaning is a dangerous condition where a vehicle loses traction due to water on the road. Light rain can mix with oil, making the road slippery, while heavy rain can increase the chance of hydroplaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs of hydroplaning are important to recognize when you are driving in rain. This phenomenon 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. Hydroplaning can start at speeds as low as 35 miles per hour. It is often signaled by a sudden feeling of the vehicle 'floating' or steering becoming unresponsive.
When light rain mixes with oil and gasoline on the road surface, it creates slippery conditions that can reduce traction. A heavy rain might initially wash away the build-up, but as the rainfall increases, the water volume can lead to pooling and an increased risk of hydroplaning.
Drivers should remain vigilant during wet conditions and reduce their speed, avoid sharp turns and sudden braking to lower their risk of hydroplaning. Special attention should be paid to the first few minutes of light rain when the mix of water with oils on the road can be most slippery.