A Toyota Fortuner overturned on the Pandaan toll road in Malang this week, highlighting the dangers of driving in wet conditions and underscoring the potential for aquaplaning. The single-vehicle incident,captured on a dashcam and shared widely online,prompted safety officials to reiterate the importance of adjusting driving habits during rainfall. Authorities are investigating whether aquaplaning-a loss of tire traction due to standing water-was a primary factor in the crash, which briefly obstructed traffic on the busy thoroughfare.
Jakarta –
A Toyota Fortuner veered out of control on a toll road and subsequently crashed into a barrier, overturning in an incident highlighting the dangers of driving in wet conditions. The event serves as a critical reminder of the importance of adjusting driving behavior to account for environmental factors.
The vehicle impacted a median barrier on the Pandaan toll road in Malang. Prior to the accident, the Fortuner was traveling in the left lane and attempting to overtake another vehicle. Following the maneuver, the white SUV spun and collided with the barrier, ultimately rolling over and obstructing two lanes of traffic, as captured in a video shared on the dashcam_owners_indonesia Instagram account.
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Authorities suspect aquaplaning was a significant contributing factor, given the wet and slick road conditions. Aquaplaning occurs when a vehicle’s tires lose traction due to a layer of water between the tire and the road surface, often leading to a loss of control. Such incidents can have severe consequences.
“Aquaplaning is a serious hazard because drivers often have no warning before it happens. They suddenly experience a loss of grip and, unfortunately, accidents are common,” stated Sony Susmana, Director of Training at Safety Defensive Consultant Indonesia (SDCI), on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Susmana emphasized the dangers of underestimating the impact of rainfall, noting that it not only reduces visibility but also creates hazardous standing water.
“Factors like excessive speed, worn tires, low tire pressure, improper tire tread, overcorrection of steering, aggressive driving, and poor suspension can all contribute to a loss of control in a matter of seconds when encountering water on the road,” he explained.
The incident underscores the importance of reducing speed in wet conditions. Susmana recommends decreasing speed by 20 kilometers per hour compared to dry road conditions. For example, if traveling at 80 km/hour on a dry road, reduce speed to 60 km/hour when it is raining.
“The heavier the rainfall, the slower you should go. It’s not just about visibility; it’s about maintaining tire grip. Overtaking is easy; anticipating and mitigating the risks associated with wet road conditions is the challenge,” Susmana concluded.
(dry/din)
