MD DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You approach a road covered by moving flood water. The safest action is to:
- Cross slowly in low gear
- Turn around and find another route (Correct answer)
- Follow the vehicle ahead closely
- Cross quickly to avoid stalling
Correct answer: Turn around and find another route
Even shallow moving water can sweep a vehicle away, so you should never drive through it.
Question 2: Black ice is dangerous mainly because it:
- Only forms on gravel roads
- Is thicker than normal ice
- Is nearly invisible and looks like wet pavement (Correct answer)
- Melts instantly under tires
Correct answer: Is nearly invisible and looks like wet pavement
Black ice is a thin, transparent layer that makes the road look merely wet.
Question 3: Maryland law requires you to turn on your headlights whenever:
- You are driving faster than 50 mph
- Your windshield wipers are in use due to weather (Correct answer)
- You are on a divided highway
- The temperature drops below freezing
Correct answer: Your windshield wipers are in use due to weather
Maryland's 'wipers on, lights on' law requires headlights whenever wipers are used in bad weather.
Question 4: If fog becomes so thick you can barely see, the best action is to:
- Stop in your travel lane with hazards on
- Follow the taillights ahead very closely
- Pull completely off the road and stop in a safe place (Correct answer)
- Speed up to get through the fog faster
Correct answer: Pull completely off the road and stop in a safe place
When visibility is nearly zero, you should pull well off the roadway and stop until conditions improve.
Question 5: A strong crosswind is most likely to affect your control when:
- Driving a heavy sedan in the city
- Exiting a tunnel or crossing a high bridge (Correct answer)
- Driving uphill on a rural road
- Braking on a straight, flat road
Correct answer: Exiting a tunnel or crossing a high bridge
Wind gusts hit suddenly when leaving sheltered areas like tunnels or when on exposed bridges.
Question 6: When driving on packed snow, you should reduce your speed by about:
- One quarter
- One half (Correct answer)
- Ten percent
- No reduction is needed with snow tires
Correct answer: One half
Packed snow roughly doubles stopping distance, so speed should be cut in half.
Question 7: If sun glare suddenly blinds you while driving, you should:
- Close one eye and continue
- Slow down and use your sun visor (Correct answer)
- Speed up to pass through the glare
- Look directly at the sun to adjust your eyes
Correct answer: Slow down and use your sun visor
Slowing down and blocking the glare with a visor or sunglasses keeps you in control while visibility is reduced.
MD DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 3
You approach a road covered by moving flood water.
The safest action is to: