Aquaplaning occurs when a tyre loses contact with the road surface and rides on a layer of water. At this point, steering and braking are almost completely ineffective, and the driver has minimal control of the vehicle. It happens at relatively modest speeds — as low as 50mph on a flooded Cardiff road — and is most common when tyre tread is worn, tyre pressure is incorrect, or there is standing water from the heavy rainfall typical of South Wales winters.
A tyre's tread pattern is specifically engineered to disperse water from beneath the contact patch, channelling it out through the grooves and away from the tyre-to-road contact area. As tread depth reduces, the tyre's ability to disperse water decreases rapidly. Tests show that at 80km/h, a tyre with 1.6mm tread requires three times longer to disperse water from the contact patch compared with a tyre at 8mm tread. The result: dramatically longer stopping distances and significantly increased aquaplaning risk.
Cardiff drivers can substantially reduce aquaplaning risk by maintaining at least 3mm of tread depth (not just the 1.6mm legal minimum), keeping tyre pressures correctly inflated and choosing tyres with high wet-braking ratings. If your car starts to aquaplane — the steering feels suddenly light and engine revs rise — ease off the accelerator gently and avoid sharp steering inputs until you feel the tyres regain contact. Call Royal Mobile Tyres Cardiff on 029 22714889 to check your tread depth and replace any worn tyres before Cardiff's winter rain arrives.