Aquaplaning or
hydroplaning by the tires of a
road vehicle,
aircraft or other wheeled vehicle occurs when a layer of
water builds between the wheels of the vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of
traction that prevents the vehicle from responding to control inputs. If it occurs to all wheels simultaneously, the vehicle becomes, in effect, an uncontrolled
sled. Aquaplaning is a different phenomenon from water on the roadway merely acting as a
lubricant. Traction is diminished on wet pavement even when aquaplaning is not occurring.