What should you do if you must drive through a deep puddle?

If you must drive through a deep puddle, gently applying your brakes after you have passed through is the best practice to dry them out. This action helps to remove any water that might have interfered with the braking system, ensuring that your brakes remain effective and responsive. Wet brakes can lead to decreased braking performance, an important consideration for safety.

While accelerating quickly might seem like a way to avoid stalling, it can lead to hydroplaning or loss of control. Driving around the puddle is a good option if it's safe, but if you can't avoid it, managing your speed and ensuring your brakes function properly afterward is crucial. Speeding through the puddle can also cause water to splash up, potentially damaging other parts of the vehicle, along with creating a hazard for other drivers. Therefore, the appropriate response is to focus on brake maintenance after navigating through the water.