SAAQ Adverse Driving Conditions 3 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: When approaching an intersection during freezing rain, you should:
- Accelerate through quickly to maintain momentum
- Begin braking well in advance since stopping distances are greatly increased (Correct answer)
- Use the handbrake to stop more precisely
- Pump the brakes rapidly as you approach
Correct answer: Begin braking well in advance since stopping distances are greatly increased
Freezing rain creates extremely slippery surfaces, and drivers must anticipate stops much earlier than normal to avoid sliding through intersections.
Question 2: Which tires are legally required in Québec from December 1 to March 15?
- All-season tires are sufficient
- Winter (snow) tires on all four wheels (Correct answer)
- Winter tires on the drive wheels only
- Studded tires on all four wheels
Correct answer: Winter (snow) tires on all four wheels
Québec law requires all vehicles to be equipped with four winter tires from December 1 to March 15 to ensure adequate traction in cold conditions.
Question 3: Strong crosswinds are most dangerous for which type of vehicle?
- Low-profile sports cars
- Heavy SUVs
- High-profile vehicles like trucks, vans, and trailers (Correct answer)
- Front-wheel drive compact cars
Correct answer: High-profile vehicles like trucks, vans, and trailers
High-profile vehicles have a large surface area that catches wind, making them susceptible to being pushed out of their lane or tipping.
Question 4: When driving through a flooded road, you should:
- Drive quickly to avoid water entering the exhaust
- Never drive through floodwater â turn around (Correct answer)
- Drive at normal speed and keep the engine revved
- Follow another vehicle through to gauge depth
Correct answer: Never drive through floodwater â turn around
It is impossible to judge the depth or current of floodwater by sight; just 15 cm of moving water can sweep a car off the road.
Question 5: Driving into bright sun glare is dangerous because:
- It overheats the dashboard and distorts instruments
- It can temporarily blind the driver, hiding hazards such as pedestrians or signals (Correct answer)
- UV rays damage your windshield and reduce clarity over time
- It causes the speedometer to read incorrectly
Correct answer: It can temporarily blind the driver, hiding hazards such as pedestrians or signals
Sun glare can completely wash out visibility of traffic signals, pedestrians, and vehicles in your path, increasing crash risk significantly.
Question 6: When roads are wet and slippery, you should pump traditional brakes gently to avoid:
- Wearing out the brake pads faster
- Wheel lockup, which causes skidding and loss of steering (Correct answer)
- Overheating the brake fluid
- Activating the ABS system prematurely
Correct answer: Wheel lockup, which causes skidding and loss of steering
On slippery surfaces, hard braking locks the wheels, causing the vehicle to skid and the driver to lose directional control.
Question 7: Driving at highway speeds during a heavy rainstorm, you notice your steering feels very light. You should:
- Apply the brakes firmly and steer to the shoulder
- Ease off the gas, hold the wheel steady, and slow down gradually (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to improve tire contact with the road
- Switch to four-wheel drive immediately
Correct answer: Ease off the gas, hold the wheel steady, and slow down gradually
Light steering in rain is a sign of hydroplaning; easing off the gas lets the tires slow and re-establish road contact without causing a spin.
SAAQ Adverse Driving Conditions 3
When approaching an intersection during freezing rain, you should: