LGV Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of LGV is most at risk from strong crosswinds on an exposed road?
- A fully loaded low-loader carrying heavy plant
- A fully loaded curtain-sided trailer
- An empty or lightly loaded high-sided vehicle (Correct answer)
- A fully laden rigid tanker
Correct answer: An empty or lightly loaded high-sided vehicle
Empty or lightly loaded high-sided vehicles have a large surface area exposed to the wind and insufficient weight to resist being blown off course.
Question 2: What makes black ice particularly dangerous for LGV drivers?
- It is only found on motorways
- It causes brake fade in drum brake systems
- It is nearly invisible and can cause sudden severe loss of traction without warning (Correct answer)
- It only affects steering and not braking distance
Correct answer: It is nearly invisible and can cause sudden severe loss of traction without warning
Black ice is transparent and almost impossible to detect visually, meaning drivers can experience sudden and severe loss of traction with very little warning.
Question 3: What checks should an LGV driver carry out before starting a long winter journey?
- Fuel level only
- Windscreen washer fluid only
- Antifreeze levels, battery condition, and tyre tread depth (Correct answer)
- Tyre pressures only
Correct answer: Antifreeze levels, battery condition, and tyre tread depth
Cold weather affects multiple vehicle systems, so antifreeze, battery condition, and tyre tread depth must all be checked before a winter journey.
Question 4: When should rear fog lights be switched off after fog has cleared?
- Only when the vehicle is parked
- As soon as visibility improves beyond 100 metres (Correct answer)
- After at least ten minutes of improved visibility
- At the next safe opportunity to pull over
Correct answer: As soon as visibility improves beyond 100 metres
Rear fog lights must be switched off once visibility exceeds 100 metres, as leaving them on can dazzle and mislead drivers behind you.
Question 5: What is the main braking hazard when an LGV drives through deep standing water?
- Corrosion of the brake lines
- Brake fade as water soaks drum or disc braking surfaces (Correct answer)
- Overheating of the transmission
- Engine flooding from water ingestion
Correct answer: Brake fade as water soaks drum or disc braking surfaces
Driving through deep water can soak drum or disc braking surfaces, causing brake fade and severely reduced braking effectiveness until the brakes dry out.
Question 6: In heavy rain, what is the safest action an LGV driver can take to protect other road users?
- Flash headlights to warn approaching vehicles
- Activate hazard warning lights continuously
- Reduce speed and greatly increase the following distance (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn at every junction
Correct answer: Reduce speed and greatly increase the following distance
Reducing speed and increasing following distance makes the vehicle safer and more predictable to other road users in heavy rain conditions.
Question 7: If your LGV begins to skid on ice, what is the correct initial response?
- Apply the footbrake firmly to slow the vehicle
- Steer sharply in the opposite direction to the skid
- Ease off the accelerator and steer gently into the skid (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to regain wheel traction
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer gently into the skid
Easing off the accelerator and gently steering into the skid allows the wheels to gradually regain traction without making the skid worse.
LGV Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions 2
Which type of LGV is most at risk from strong crosswinds on an exposed road?