PennDOT Driving in Hazardous Conditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving in fog, you should use your:
- High-beam headlights to see farther ahead
- Low-beam headlights to reduce glare (Correct answer)
- Hazard lights only
- Interior lights to signal other drivers
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights to reduce glare
Low-beam headlights reduce glare and reflection in fog, improving visibility more than high beams.
Question 2: On a snowy road, how much extra following distance should you allow compared to dry conditions?
- The same distance
- Two times the normal distance
- Three times the normal distance (Correct answer)
- Ten times the normal distance
Correct answer: Three times the normal distance
Pennsylvania recommends at least three times the normal following distance on snowy or icy roads.
Question 3: When your vehicle begins to hydroplane, you should:
- Brake firmly to regain traction
- Accelerate to push through the water
- Ease off the gas and steer straight (Correct answer)
- Turn the wheel sharply to redirect
Correct answer: Ease off the gas and steer straight
Easing off the accelerator and steering straight allows tires to regain contact with the road surface.
Question 4: Which road surface becomes most slippery at temperatures just above freezing?
- Packed snow
- Black ice (Correct answer)
- Wet asphalt
- Dry gravel
Correct answer: Black ice
Black ice forms a nearly invisible glaze on pavement that is extremely slippery, especially near freezing temperatures.
Question 5: When driving in heavy rain, you notice your wipers are not clearing the windshield effectively. You should:
- Continue driving and lean forward to see better
- Pull off the road safely and wait for conditions to improve (Correct answer)
- Drive faster to reach your destination quicker
- Turn on interior defrost only
Correct answer: Pull off the road safely and wait for conditions to improve
If you cannot see clearly, pulling off the road safely is the safest action to take.
Question 6: What should you do if you encounter a flooded road in Pennsylvania?
- Drive through slowly at 5 mph
- Never attempt to drive through flooded roads (Correct answer)
- Drive through quickly to avoid getting stuck
- Only cross if water is below your headlights
Correct answer: Never attempt to drive through flooded roads
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down, and 2 feet can sweep away most vehicles.
Question 7: When driving in high winds, which type of vehicle is most at risk of being blown off course?
- Sedans
- Sports cars
- High-profile vehicles like trucks and SUVs (Correct answer)
- Low-clearance vehicles
Correct answer: High-profile vehicles like trucks and SUVs
High-profile vehicles present more surface area to wind, making them far more vulnerable to being pushed sideways.
PennDOT Driving in Hazardous Conditions 2
When driving in fog, you should use your: