Night and Weather Hazards Flashcards

What hazard does black ice create that makes it particularly dangerous?

Answer: Black ice is transparent and almost impossible to detect visually

Black ice is a nearly invisible thin layer of ice on the road that offers no visible warning before causing vehicles to lose control.

How does reduced daylight in winter increase hazard perception difficulty?

Answer: More driving occurs in darkness or low light when hazards are harder to detect

Winter's shorter days mean commute times that previously occurred in daylight now occur in darkness, significantly reducing hazard visibility.

Why must drivers be especially cautious at the start of rain after a long dry period?

Answer: Oils and residue on the dry road surface mix with the first rain to create a slippery film

Accumulated oil and rubber deposits on dry roads mix with initial rain to form a particularly slippery surface before being washed away.

How does driving through a hailstorm affect hazard perception beyond reduced visibility?

Answer: Hailstones can mask road lane markings and create a slippery surface

Hailstones accumulating on the road can cover lane markings and create a rolling, slippery surface similar to driving on ball bearings.

What hazard does a parked vehicle create specifically at night that it would not in daylight?

Answer: A pedestrian stepping out from behind a parked vehicle is virtually invisible until the last moment

At night, a pedestrian emerging from behind a parked vehicle may be completely invisible until they are directly in the vehicle's path.

Why is a sudden heavy downpour on a motorway particularly hazardous?

Answer: Spray from vehicles ahead can reduce visibility to near zero in seconds

Tire spray from large vehicles on a motorway in heavy rain can instantly reduce visibility to near zero, requiring immediate speed reduction.