Weather and Hazardous Conditions Flashcards

If you become stranded in your vehicle during a blizzard, what is generally the safest choice?

Answer: Stay with the vehicle and run the engine briefly with a window cracked

Staying with the vehicle keeps you visible to rescuers, and cracking a window prevents carbon monoxide buildup.

Why should you check that your exhaust pipe is clear of snow when stuck in deep snow?

Answer: A blocked exhaust can force deadly carbon monoxide into the cabin

A snow-blocked tailpipe can push odorless carbon monoxide into the passenger compartment and poison the occupants.

When roads are icy, using cruise control is:

Answer: Dangerous, because it can keep power to the wheels during a skid

Cruise control may continue accelerating when tires lose grip, making a skid harder to control.

In freezing rain, what is often the wisest decision a driver can make?

Answer: Delay the trip until conditions improve

Freezing rain glazes roads with ice quickly, and the safest choice is often not to drive at all.

A dust storm or heavy smoke suddenly cuts visibility to near zero on the highway. You should:

Answer: Pull off the roadway as far as possible, stop, and turn off your lights

Stopping well off the road with lights off keeps other drivers from following your taillights into a collision.

Which areas of a shaded, tree-lined road stay icy longest after a freeze?

Answer: Shaded spots that receive little sunlight

Shaded pavement warms slowly, so ice lingers there long after sunny stretches have melted.

If your front wheels lose traction and the car keeps going straight in a turn, you should:

Answer: Ease off the gas and let the front tires regain grip before steering

Reducing speed lets the front tires regain traction so steering input can take effect again.