What should a driver do when necessary to drive a vehicle through water on the highway?

Driving through water on the highway can present various hazards, and understanding how to navigate these conditions safely is crucial. The correct approach is to drive in the tracks of preceding vehicles. This method is advantageous because it allows you to follow the paths that have already been created by other vehicles, which may have displaced some of the water, thus reducing the depth and potential impact on your vehicle. The tracks can also indicate safer areas where the water is less likely to be deep enough to affect the traction or operation of the vehicle.

Choosing to drive through the tracks left by others can help you gauge the conditions better since those vehicles have already tested the water's depth. In unfamiliar situations or during heavy rains, this strategy can be particularly important for the safety and operation of your vehicle.

In contrast, increasing speed to avoid water can lead to losing control or creating a wake that might affect other drivers. Turning off the engine before entering water is unnecessary and impractical, as it can cause stalling and make recovery from the situation more difficult. Not checking tire pressure is unrelated to the challenge of driving through water and does not contribute to safety in this context.