Slippery roads and hydroplaning

Key points

1. Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow or sleet.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Reduce speed at the first sign of rain, snow or sleet.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 59

2. On wet roads drive about 10 mph below recommended speeds, and on packed snow cut your speed by half or more.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “On wet roadways you should reduce speed about 10 mph below recommended speeds to allow for additional stopping distance and potential traction loss while steering. If there is packed snow on the road, reduce your speed by half or more.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 59

3. Studded snow tires are allowed in Kansas from November 1 to April 1.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Vehicles in Kansas may be equipped with studded snow tires from November 1st to April 1st each year.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 59

4. Bridges can be colder and icier than other roads because no earth underneath insulates them.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “Bridges do not have earth underneath them to help insulate them against the cold and can be colder and more ice-covered than other roadways.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 60

5. Above 35 mph, tires start to ride up on pooled water, which is called hydroplaning.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “However, as you go faster than 35 mph, the steering tires will start to ride up on any pooled water, similar to the action of water skis.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 60

6. In heavy rain tires can lose all traction at 45 to 50 mph, and badly worn tires at 25 to 30 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “In a heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at 45-50 mph due to the water pushing against the tires as the vehicle is moving forward. Badly worn tires will lose traction at much lower speeds (25-30 mph).”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 60

7. The best way to avoid hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or on roads with standing water.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “The best way to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet with pooled water or water puddles.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 60

8. If the drive wheels begin to spin, take your foot off the accelerator.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “If the drive wheels begin to spin, take your foot off the accelerator.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 30

9. On gravel or dirt roads, slow down and increase following distance because stopping takes much longer.

   Source: Handbook p. 90

   “When driving on gravel or dirt, you must reduce your speed and increase your following distance, since it will take much longer to stop due to loss of traction.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 90

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kansas practice test

1. 1. When a roadway first becomes wet from rain, what speed adjustment does the handbook recommend?

   1. Use high beams and keep the same speed
   2. Maintain the posted limit because wet pavement does not change traction
   3. Increase speed to get off the wet section quickly
   4. Reduce speed because water mixes with dirt, oil, and other substances
   Show answer

   Reduce speed because water mixes with dirt, oil, and other substances. The first rain can make pavement especially slippery because water mixes with dirt, oil, and other substances on the surface. Reducing speed gives the tires more opportunity to maintain contact and gives the driver additional time to respond. The posted limit is a maximum for suitable conditions, not a promise that the same speed is safe on wet pavement. Speeding across the area or relying on high beams does not restore traction. The cue is sudden rain after a dry spell: ease off early.

2. 2. What is the best way to reduce traction loss from hydroplaning on a wet roadway?

   1. Slow down when rain or pooled water is present
   2. Brake hard while turning through the puddle
   3. Accelerate to push the water aside
   4. Keep the same speed if the tires appear inflated
   Show answer

   Slow down when rain or pooled water is present. Hydroplaning occurs when the steering tires ride up on pooled water and lose contact with the roadway. The handbook identifies slowing down in rain or around puddles as the best way to avoid that traction loss. Hard braking while turning can worsen instability, and acceleration increases the speed at which the tires meet the water. Tire inflation alone does not make a high-speed puddle safe. Spot pooled water early, release pressure smoothly, and choose a slower path through the wet area.

3. 3. What should you do if the drive wheels begin to spin on a slippery surface?

   1. Apply the parking brake immediately
   2. Press the accelerator harder to regain speed
   3. Turn sharply toward the shoulder
   4. Take your foot off the accelerator
   Show answer

   Take your foot off the accelerator. Wheel spin means the tires are losing traction, so adding power can make the slide worse. The handbook advises taking your foot off the accelerator when the drive wheels begin to spin. That reduces the force driving the wheels and gives traction a chance to return. Pressing harder, turning sharply, or grabbing the parking brake can make control less predictable. Ease off smoothly and keep the vehicle pointed along a safe path.

Source: the Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 7: Safe Driving Tips. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.