Hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on a thin film of water instead of on the road. To prevent hydroplaning in wet weather, you should:

1. Put on your cruise control to maintain a constant speed.
2. Slow down. ✓
3. Move to the shoulder of the road as soon as it starts to rain.

Answer: B. Slow down.

Slow down when the road is wet so your tires keep contact with the pavement instead of riding on water.

Why this is the answer

The handbook explains that hydroplaning happens when tires lose all contact with the road and the vehicle rides on water, and that a small steering change, braking, or a gust of wind can then send the car into a skid. Its first listed way to avoid this is to drive slowly. It also tells you to slow down when you hear sloshing from the tires and when you change lanes or direction. Lower speed keeps the tires in touch with the road surface, which is why slowing down is the right move.

Why the other answers are wrong

• A. Put on your cruise control to maintain a constant speed. — Cruise control does not appear in the handbook's advice here, and it holds a set speed rather than reducing it in wet conditions.
• C. Move to the shoulder of the road as soon as it starts to rain. — The handbook does not say to pull onto the shoulder when rain starts; it says to drive slowly, steer around standing water when possible, and slow for sloshing tires or lane changes.

Remember it

If you hear water sloshing under the tires, that is your cue to ease off the speed.