What should a driver do if they encounter standing water on the road?

When a driver encounters standing water on the road, smoothly slowing down and avoiding sudden movements is crucial for maintaining control of the vehicle. Standing water can create a significant risk of hydroplaning, where the tires lose contact with the road surface, increasing the likelihood of losing control. By slowing down gradually, the driver helps reduce the risk of hydroplaning and allows the vehicle to make smoother transitions through any water present.

Sudden movements, such as quick steering or abrupt braking, can destabilize the vehicle and may lead to skidding. Therefore, a calm and measured response—such as gently easing off the accelerator and steering straight—ensures safer navigation through wet conditions.

In contrast, speeding up might lead to losing control, quickly changing lanes could create dangerous situations with other vehicles, and ignoring shallow water could still pose risks, such as hidden hazards beneath the surface. Hence, the safest and most effective response to standing water is to reduce speed smoothly and maintain steady vehicle control.