AK DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving on ice or packed snow in Alaska, how much should you increase your following distance compared to dry pavement?
- Increase it to at least 8-10 seconds (Correct answer)
- Keep the same 2-second gap
- Reduce it so others can't cut in
- Increase it to 3 seconds only
Correct answer: Increase it to at least 8-10 seconds
On ice or packed snow, stopping distances grow dramatically, so a following distance of 8-10 seconds or more is recommended.
Question 2: You begin to skid on an icy road and your rear wheels slide to the right. What should you do?
- Steer to the right, in the direction the rear is sliding (Correct answer)
- Brake hard immediately
- Steer sharply to the left
- Accelerate to regain traction
Correct answer: Steer to the right, in the direction the rear is sliding
Steering in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding helps bring the car back in line without overcorrecting.
Question 3: What is 'black ice' and where does it most commonly form?
- A thin, nearly invisible ice layer that forms on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas (Correct answer)
- Dark-colored ice found only on gravel roads
- Ice mixed with road tar in summer
- Frozen slush that is easy to see at night
Correct answer: A thin, nearly invisible ice layer that forms on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas
Black ice is a thin, transparent ice layer that looks like wet pavement and forms first on bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots.
Question 4: When driving in fog, which headlight setting should you use?
- Low-beam headlights (Correct answer)
- High-beam headlights
- Parking lights only
- Hazard flashers with no headlights
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
Low beams reduce glare because high beams reflect off the fog back into your eyes.
Question 5: If your vehicle becomes stuck in a snowdrift in a remote area of Alaska, what is generally the safest action?
- Stay with your vehicle and run the engine sparingly with a window cracked (Correct answer)
- Walk to the nearest town no matter the distance
- Run the engine continuously with windows closed to stay warm
- Leave the vehicle and follow the road on foot at night
Correct answer: Stay with your vehicle and run the engine sparingly with a window cracked
Staying with your vehicle keeps you sheltered and easier to find, while running the engine sparingly with ventilation prevents carbon monoxide poisoning.
Question 6: What causes hydroplaning, and at what speeds can it begin?
- Tires riding on a film of water, possibly starting around 35 mph (Correct answer)
- Tires overheating, only above 70 mph
- Brakes locking on gravel at any speed
- Snow packing in wheel wells above 50 mph
Correct answer: Tires riding on a film of water, possibly starting around 35 mph
Hydroplaning happens when tires lose contact with the road and ride on water, which can begin at speeds as low as about 35 mph.
Question 7: During extreme cold in Alaska, what should you check before starting a long trip?
- Fuel level, tire condition, antifreeze, and an emergency survival kit (Correct answer)
- Only the radio and phone charger
- Just the windshield washer fluid
- Nothing extra beyond normal driving
Correct answer: Fuel level, tire condition, antifreeze, and an emergency survival kit
Extreme cold demands a full vehicle check plus a survival kit with blankets, food, and supplies in case you become stranded.
AK DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 2
When driving on ice or packed snow in Alaska, how much should you increase your following distance compared to dry pavement?