Features
Hydroplaning or skidding on roads: What you need to know while driving on a wet surface
My dear motorists, have you ever been faced with that situation where you seem to have lost control of the steering of your vehicle or even stuck in the mud? Frightening right?
Well, the rainy season is upon us again and most motorists especially those who frequently ply muddy roads are bound to experience hydroplaning and or skidding, one way or the other.
Before we commence the discussion on hydroplaning and skidding let’s digress. Do you know that in countries that experience the four seasons: winter, autumn, spring, and summer, motorists are bound to change their tyres depending on the season?
Yes, there are summer tyres and winter tyres to help motorists confidently drive on and navigate slippery roads that come with the changing seasons. That is just by the way. Do we in Ghana, experiencing two seasons see any reason to change tyres seasonally? It’s quite unlikely.
However, motorists must always ensure their tyres are in excellent condition with enough tyre thread – in order not to fail them – especially during the rainy seasons.
Let’s get back on track.
Ever gotten into a situation where you lose control of vehicle traction while driving on a wet or muddy road? Your car seems to be floating because your tyre has no contact with/grip on the road? That is hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning by definition is simply “the condition where the tyres of a vehicle lose contact with the surface of the road due to water on the road.” In this situation, the tyres of the car slide on top of the water and make navigation control impossible.
So what of skidding? Skidding, like hydroplaning is “the loss of tyre traction where the car slides on the surface of the road without necessarily rotating.” There are various causes of skidding which include driving too fast, sharply navigating a turn, oversteering and even hard braking.
My experience with skidding has to do with driving on muddy roads which is a frequent affair during the rainy season. I would personally say a motorist experiences skidding when the car seems to be sliding off a road due to its muddy condition.
The mud prevents the tyre from gaining enough traction on the road. How? So in this case, the mud enters the thread of the tyres making them lose the traction it’s supposed to have and rather makes the tyre slide on the surface of the road.
What to do in the face of Hydroplaning and Skidding
When you find yourself in situations of skidding or hydroplaning, there are some points to remember.
- The first rule to remember is to STAY CALM. Panicking might cause you to veer off the road and cause major accidents.
- Remember, DO NOT STOMP ON THE BRAKES. Instinctively, one’s first reaction may be to stomp on the brake to stop the vehicle but that may even result in being thrown off the road, the car somersaulting or
- causing major road accidents with serious injuries to the driver, other motorists or even pedestrians.
- Take your foot off the accelerator gradually to slow the car down and allow the tyres to regain traction while firmly holding onto the steering wheel.
- And rather steer the car towards the direction you want to go until you are in the right direction again.
The word of caution is to always remember that hydroplaning and or skidding is sometimes inevitable, especially during certain weather conditions like rainy seasons in climatic zones like ours and on muddy roads like we find common in some areas in Ghana – particularly during the wet season.
But always remember to check the condition of your tyres and make sure there is enough thread on them to have better traction, drive slowly on wet roads while keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front of you and always remember to slow down before navigating a curve.
The author is a Communications Professional and a Managing Partner of Andcorp Autos, a fully owned Ghanaian automobile company and on-demand auto purchasing company which offers the best option for purchasing and importing quality vehicles (brand new, clean, salvage) from the USA, Canada and Asia.
Author’s email address: essahjanice@gmail.com
By Janice Osei-Essah Anderson
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
