PennDOT Driving in Hazardous Conditions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Pennsylvania, when must you turn on your headlights during precipitation?
- Only at night during rain
- Whenever windshield wipers are in use (Correct answer)
- Only in heavy downpours
- Only when visibility drops below 500 feet
Correct answer: Whenever windshield wipers are in use
Pennsylvania law requires headlights to be on whenever windshield wipers are in use due to rain, snow, or other precipitation.
Question 2: When approaching a curve on a slippery road, you should:
- Brake hard in the curve to maintain control
- Accelerate through the curve to maintain momentum
- Slow down before entering the curve (Correct answer)
- Shift to a lower gear while in the curve
Correct answer: Slow down before entering the curve
Braking before a curve, not during it, gives you the best control on slippery surfaces.
Question 3: What is the primary danger of driving through standing water at highway speed?
- Engine flooding
- Hydroplaning (Correct answer)
- Tire puncture
- Transmission damage
Correct answer: Hydroplaning
At highway speeds, tires cannot dispel water fast enough, causing the vehicle to ride on a film of water and lose steering control.
Question 4: During a blizzard with near-zero visibility, the safest action is to:
- Follow the taillights of the vehicle ahead closely
- Pull completely off the road and turn off all lights
- Pull off the road, turn on hazard lights, and wait (Correct answer)
- Drive at 10 mph with high beams on
Correct answer: Pull off the road, turn on hazard lights, and wait
Pulling off the road with hazard lights on alerts other drivers to your position while keeping you out of traffic.
Question 5: When driving on ice, the best way to slow down is to:
- Pump the brakes rapidly
- Apply steady, gentle brake pressure or use engine braking (Correct answer)
- Steer toward a snowbank to slow down
- Shift to neutral and coast
Correct answer: Apply steady, gentle brake pressure or use engine braking
Gentle, steady braking (or engine braking in lower gear) avoids locking wheels and skidding on ice.
Question 6: Which tire tread depth is the minimum recommended for safe winter driving in Pennsylvania?
- 1/32 inch
- 2/32 inch
- 4/32 inch (Correct answer)
- 6/32 inch
Correct answer: 4/32 inch
Winter driving safety experts recommend at least 4/32 inch of tread depth for adequate snow and slush traction.
Question 7: After driving through a deep puddle, what should you do to restore braking ability?
- Accelerate sharply to dry the brakes
- Lightly apply the brakes several times while driving slowly (Correct answer)
- Wait 10 minutes before braking again
- Shift into reverse briefly
Correct answer: Lightly apply the brakes several times while driving slowly
Lightly tapping the brakes generates friction heat that dries wet brake pads and restores stopping power.
PennDOT Driving in Hazardous Conditions 3
In Pennsylvania, when must you turn on your headlights during precipitation?