What should you do after passing through deep water?

After passing through deep water, gently riding your brake for a while is an important action. This technique helps to ensure that the brakes are dried off, especially if water has splashed onto them. When brakes are wet, they may not function as effectively, which can impair your ability to stop safely. By using the brakes lightly, you can generate some heat through friction, which aids in evaporating moisture and helps restore their effectiveness.

It's crucial to recognize that not drying the brakes can lead to decreased stopping power, which poses significant safety risks. The other options, while they may seem relevant, do not address the immediate concern of brake functionality following exposure to water. For instance, turning on headlights doesn't aid in brake performance, and accelerating to dry the brakes could potentially lead to loss of control on wet surfaces. Checking for tire damage is also important, but it does not directly relate to the crucial need to ensure your brakes are functioning properly after passing through water.