NV DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When approaching a flooded road in Nevada, what should you do?
- Drive through slowly in low gear
- Speed up to cross before water rises higher
- Turn around and find an alternate route (Correct answer)
- Wait for another vehicle to cross first, then follow its path
Correct answer: Turn around and find an alternate route
You should never attempt to drive through floodwater — just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down, and 2 feet can sweep away a vehicle.
Question 2: During a blizzard in northern Nevada mountain areas, if you become snowbound in your vehicle, you should:
- Leave the vehicle and walk to find help
- Keep the engine running continuously for heat
- Run the engine briefly for warmth and keep a window slightly open to prevent carbon monoxide buildup (Correct answer)
- Turn off the engine and conserve fuel by staying cold
Correct answer: Run the engine briefly for warmth and keep a window slightly open to prevent carbon monoxide buildup
Running the engine intermittently for warmth is acceptable, but a cracked window prevents deadly carbon monoxide from accumulating in the vehicle.
Question 3: At what speed does hydroplaning most commonly begin on a wet road?
- 25 mph
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- 55 mph or higher (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 55 mph or higher
Hydroplaning typically begins at speeds around 35 mph but becomes most dangerous and common at speeds of 55 mph or higher.
Question 4: In Nevada, sun glare is a significant hazard because of the desert's clear skies. The best way to combat sun glare while driving is to:
- Wear sunglasses and use the vehicle's sun visor (Correct answer)
- Drive with high-beam headlights to counter the glare
- Close your eyes briefly when glare is intense
- Increase speed to pass through the glare zone faster
Correct answer: Wear sunglasses and use the vehicle's sun visor
Polarized sunglasses and the sun visor work together to reduce glare significantly, improving visibility in bright conditions.
Question 5: When roads are covered with snow and ice, which of the following should you do?
- Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed
- Pump the brakes rapidly regardless of brake type
- Allow extra distance to stop and accelerate slowly (Correct answer)
- Drive in the center of the road to avoid ice near edges
Correct answer: Allow extra distance to stop and accelerate slowly
Slow, gradual acceleration and extended stopping distances are critical on snow and ice to prevent skidding and loss of control.
Question 6: If your rear wheels begin to skid on ice, you should steer:
- Opposite to the direction of the skid
- In the direction the rear of the car is sliding (Correct answer)
- Sharply to the left regardless of skid direction
- Straight ahead without changing steering input
Correct answer: In the direction the rear of the car is sliding
Steering into a rear-wheel skid (in the direction the rear is sliding) helps realign the vehicle and regain control.
Question 7: Which driving behavior is particularly dangerous when roads are wet?
- Reducing speed
- Increasing following distance
- Making sudden lane changes (Correct answer)
- Using low-beam headlights
Correct answer: Making sudden lane changes
Sudden lane changes on wet roads can cause loss of traction and hydroplaning, especially at higher speeds.
NV DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 3
When approaching a flooded road in Nevada, what should you do?