Hydroplaning

Experienced it for about the third time tonight in all the time I've been driving on the way to my aunt's earlier with my mom as we were passing a semi on the freeway.

We're getting several wet weather systems with periodic heavy rainfall.

 

Dude, if you mean you were overtaking a semi in wet weather, you're crazy.

 

Yes. I wasn't going to get stuck behind it. The speed limit is 70 MPH, but big rigs have to go 60 MPH on interstates.

 

You're insane.

 

Do you understand that you and everyone else on the road is driving 2 ton hunk of metal that runs on explosions and that big rigs weigh even more?

 

"This depends on the model and if it is pulling a trailer, and what cargo is in the trailer. Tractor (the truck by itself) 16,000lbs-20,000lbs (8-10 tons) Trailer (empty): 10,000-15,000lbs (5-7.5 tons) Maximum allowed weight (most US highways): 80,000lbs (40 tons)" from a quick wikianswers search

So imagine being rear ended by an out of control (Because you were moronic enough to over take this truck in wet weather) truck that weighs on average 20 times more than your car, in the rain. It's people like you that cause horrific accidents that involve tons of steel and fires and explosions. Stop being impatient and stick behind the 40 ton truck. It may save your life.

 

Wait ... It was your third hydroplaning that evening and all you cared about was driving as fast as legally allowed ?
M' kay ...

My first hydroplaning was enough to drive some sense into me. I was loosing track of the car I was following, I sped up, and spinned 180 into the side barrier. On the highway. With incoming cars. Never heard my sister scream so loudly in my whole life. My legs were shaking so much I couldn' t even stand anymore.

BTW, in my country speed limits are decreased by 10 km/h when it' s rainy. Are they decreased in the US too ?

 

This kills the Amaury.

They're supposed to be, but I think it depends on the state.

 

Third hydroplane in all the time I've been driving. Yesterday I experienced it as I was passing the semi and then again when moving back over into the right lane, but I only count that as one experience since the two were only some seconds apart. The other day on my drive I also experienced it.

I also forgot to mention that both times I slowed down by about five MPH -- yesterday to 65 MPH and the other day, I don't remember -- so I'm not totally insane @Nate_River. Although my mom did freak out last night, despite me staying calm and just calmly saying "Whoa!" since I've dealt with it before, and that's what you're supposed to do -- remain calm and don't panic. Not only that, but I didn't totally lose control, I just go pulled to the right a bit toward the semi, but I was still in control for the most part and was able to correct the car by staying calm and not making any sudden jerks of the steering wheel or braking.

 

So what you're saying is that if things had gone differently and there was an accident, your deaths would have been 5 MPH less horrible?

 

Except we didn't almost die.

I slowed down because conditions were bad because of the areas of standing water on the interstate, which is what you're supposed to do in bad weather. However, I didn't think it was that bad until I hydroplaned.

I also experienced hydroplaning on the way back, except we took the highway.

 

It's not so much that it's like "It's raining, so you must go 10 under the speed limit", more like "It's raining, so it'd be safer if you went under the speed limit". No one does it though, most people still drive like 10 miles over even. At least, they were where I live. Houston has some of the most dangerous driving I've seen, but considering I haven't paid much attention till I started driving in November, I don't know how much that means.

Lucky for me though, I haven't had any sort of Hydroplaning happen to me yet. Though I drive pretty safely, and notice a ton of people going GTA around me.

 

This. It's just like curves with yellow signs with a speed on them. They're only suggestions.

Anyway, I'm a pretty safe driver, too -- although while my mom agrees I'm a good driver, she says I need to work on my defensive driving skills -- but unless it's snowing heavily or the roads are snowy, slushy, or icy, I always go the speed limit.

 

The point is DO NOT OVERTAKE A TRUCK IN THE RAIN BECAUSE IF IT TAKES YOU X AMOUNT IF TIME TO SLOW DOWN SAFELY IN THE RAIN, IMAGINE HOW MUCH LONGER IT TAKES THEM, WITH SOME STUPID PERSON IN FRONT OF THEM BEING IMPATIENT AS ****

 

I got way ahead of them after moving back over since I was going five miles faster.

 

As far as I'm concerned, going 65 mph in a two ton box made out of metal, fabric, and fire next to a 10-20 ton box made out of the same stuff in standing water and heavy rain is pretty much a perpetual state of almost dying.[DOUBLEPOST=1394134810][/DOUBLEPOST]

This is what everybody who drives thinks, including all of the worst drivers.

 

I was going 70 MPH; they were going 60 MPH. I slowed down to 65 MPH after I hydroplaned and moved back over in front of them.

I've been driving since January 31, 2009 and haven't had one collision. A lot of close calls, the majority being other drivers' fault, but no collisions.

 

What does that have to do with what I said?

Besides that, you shouldn't be going any more than 60 mph in those conditions.

 

You're just like my mom. :x I know how to drive.

 

The point they're both making is that just because you can do something well, it doesn't mean that you can't mess up if you're careless. Just because I can use a stove doesn't mean I should just have my hand carelessly floating around one of the burners.