Session 22: Adjusting speed

Which areas on the road freeze first and dry out last?

(a.) Shady spots. b. Overpasses. c. Intersections. d. Parking lots.

Some road surfaces are slippery at certain times or places. Here are some clues to help you spot slippery roads:

- Shady spots can be icy on cold, wet days. These areas freeze first and dry out last. - Overpasses and other types of bridges can have icy spots, even when other pavement is not icy. This is because bridges do not have earth underneath them to help insulate them against the cold so they freeze sooner than other roadways. - When the temperature is around the freezing point, ice can become wet. This makes it more slippery than at colder temperatures. - If it starts to rain on a hot day, the pavement can be very slippery for a while. Heat causes the oil in the asphalt to come to the surface. The road is more slippery until the oil is washed off.

In a heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at about:

50 mph. Wide tires or tires that are bald or badly worn will lose traction at much lower speeds.

Slippery roads:

Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow, or sleet. All of these make the roadway slippery. When the road is slippery, your vehicle's tires do not grip as well as they do on a dry road.

Adjusting To Road Conditions

There are various road conditions where, to be safe, you need to slow down. For example, slow down before a sharp curve, when the roadway is slippery or when there is standing water on the road.

Water on the roadway:

When it is raining or the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph. However as you go faster, your tires will start to ride up on the water, like water skis. This is called "hydroplaning."

What condition causes oil to come to the surface of asphalt and make the road slippery for a while?

a. Extremely cold days. (b.) When it starts to rain on a hot day. c. When it starts to rain on a cold day. d. When ice starts to melt.

When is ice the most slippery to drive on?

a. In extremely cold temperatures. (b.) When temperatures are around the freezing point. c. After the ice has been frozen for a while. d. None of the above.

When driving at 60 mph, how much more distance does it take to stop than if you were driving 30 mph?

a. The same distance. b. 2 times the distance. (c.) 3 times the distance. d. ½ the distance.

What occurs on wet roads when your front tires start to ride on water instead of the road?

a. Weaving. b. Velocitizing. c. Skiing. (d.) Hydroplaning.

Which of the following type of road causes tires to lose traction?

a. Wet roads. b. Gravel roads. c. Dirt roads. (d.) All of the above.

If you drive too fast on a wet road, there is danger that:

a. your own spray will obscure your vision. b. you will arrive at your destination too quickly. c. your spray will obscure the vision of others. (d.) your tires will start to slide over the water.

Your tires do not have as much traction on:

gravel or dirt roads as they do on concrete or asphalt roads. When driving on gravel or dirt, you need to slow down. It will take you much longer to stop on gravel or dirt and it is much easier to skid when turning.

How slow should you go on a wet road?

you should reduce your speed about 10 mph. On packed snow, you should cut your speed in half. On ice, you must slow to a crawl. It is very dangerous to drive on ice.

Curves:

A vehicle can travel much faster in a straight line than it can in a curve. It is easy to go too fast in a curve. If you go too fast, the tires will not be able to grip the road and your vehicle will skid. Always slow down before you enter a curve so you do not have to brake while in the curve. Braking in a curve can cause your vehicle to skid.

According to the video out of every 4 work zone fatalities, how many of the deaths are not workers, but motorists?

a. 2. (b.) 3. c. 1. d. ½.

You are driving down the highway and it starts to rain. The road becomes wet. You were driving 65 mph before the rain, how fast should you be driving once the roadway becomes wet?

a. 45 mph. (b.) 55 mph. c. 60 mph. d. 65 mph.

Which of these places is most likely to be slippery?

a. Busy streets. (b.) Bridges. c. Parking lots. d. Intersections.

If at all possible,

do not drive when the roads are icy

The only contact your vehicle has with the road is through:

the tires. How good the tires grip the road depends on the type and condition of the tires, and the type and condition of the road surface. Many drivers do not pay enough attention to the condition of their tires or to the condition of the roadway. It is important that your tires be in good condition and have enough air in them. See your vehicle owner's manual for correct tire pressure.