Adverse Weather and Road Conditions Flashcards

Which of the following is the greatest danger of driving on roads covered with leaves in autumn?

Answer: Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice

Wet leaves compress and become extremely slippery, creating road conditions similar to ice and significantly increasing stopping distances.

A new GDL driver is approaching a flooded road section. What should they do?

Answer: Turn around and find an alternate route

Even a few inches of moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road; turning around and finding an alternate route is the safest choice.

How much can wet pavement increase a vehicle's stopping distance compared to dry pavement?

Answer: About 50–100%

Wet pavement can roughly double stopping distance because water reduces friction between tires and the road surface.

When driving in heavy rain, a GDL driver should:

Answer: Slow down and turn on headlights

Slowing down reduces hydroplaning risk and increases reaction time, while headlights make the vehicle visible to others in reduced-visibility conditions.

Bridges and overpasses freeze before regular road sections because:

Answer: Air can cool them from both above and below

Bridges are exposed to cold air on both top and bottom surfaces, allowing them to lose heat faster and freeze sooner than roads built on solid ground.

What does 'reduced traction' mean for a GDL driver in snowy conditions?

Answer: Tires have less grip on the road, making steering and braking less effective

Snow reduces the friction between tires and the road, meaning both steering control and braking effectiveness are significantly reduced.

When a GDL driver's car begins to skid on slippery pavement, the correct response is to:

Answer: Steer in the direction of the skid while easing off the gas

Steering into the skid helps realign the front wheels with the direction of travel, allowing the driver to regain control.