What action should you take after driving through a puddle?

After driving through a puddle, it is advisable to ride your brakes for a while. This action helps to ensure that your brakes dry out effectively and regain their full stopping power. When water accumulates on brake components, such as the brake pads and rotors, it can reduce braking efficiency, leading to a potential safety hazard.

By lightly pressing the brake pedal after leaving the puddle, you ensure that the brake pads make contact with the rotors, allowing any excess water to evaporate or be pushed away. This practice not only enhances your braking performance but also creates a safer driving environment for both you and other road users.

In contrast, turning on your windshield wipers might help keep your windshield clear, but it doesn’t address the brake performance issue. Speeding up to dry the brakes could be dangerous, as it may reduce your control of the vehicle. Changing lanes immediately does not directly affect brake performance and may increase the risk of losing control if the brakes are not functioning optimally.