WA DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What causes hydroplaning at higher speeds on wet roads?
- A layer of water builds between the tires and the road surface (Correct answer)
- The engine overheats and loses power
- The brakes lock automatically in the rain
- Wind pushes the vehicle off its path
Correct answer: A layer of water builds between the tires and the road surface
Hydroplaning happens when tires ride on a film of water and lose contact with the pavement.
Question 2: If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, what should you do first?
- Ease off the accelerator and avoid braking hard (Correct answer)
- Brake firmly to regain traction
- Turn the steering wheel sharply toward the shoulder
- Shift into reverse to slow down
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and avoid braking hard
Easing off the gas lets the tires slow gradually and regain contact with the road without a skid.
Question 3: When is a paved road usually most slippery during rain?
- During the first 10 to 15 minutes of rainfall (Correct answer)
- After it has rained steadily for an hour
- Only when the temperature is below freezing
- Just after the rain completely stops
Correct answer: During the first 10 to 15 minutes of rainfall
Early rain mixes with oil and dust on the pavement, creating an especially slick film before it washes away.
Question 4: In heavy fog, which lights should you use while driving?
- Low-beam headlights (Correct answer)
- High-beam headlights
- Parking lights only
- Hazard flashers with headlights off
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
Low beams aim at the road, while high beams reflect off fog droplets and reduce your visibility.
Question 5: If fog becomes so thick you can barely see, what is the safest action?
- Pull completely off the road, stop, and turn on hazard lights (Correct answer)
- Speed up to get through the fog quickly
- Follow the taillights of the car ahead very closely
- Stop in your travel lane and wait
Correct answer: Pull completely off the road, stop, and turn on hazard lights
Pulling fully off the roadway and using hazard lights removes you from traffic when visibility is too poor to drive.
Question 6: How much should you increase your following distance when driving on packed snow?
- Roughly double or more compared to dry pavement (Correct answer)
- No change is needed if you have snow tires
- Cut it in half to stay close to other cars
- Only increase it at night
Correct answer: Roughly double or more compared to dry pavement
Stopping distances on packed snow are far longer, so you need at least twice the normal following distance.
Question 7: Which road surface condition is often called 'black ice'?
- A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that makes the road look wet (Correct answer)
- Fresh asphalt laid during cold weather
- Dark mud washed onto the road by rain
- Oil spilled across a traffic lane
Correct answer: A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that makes the road look wet
Black ice is a thin transparent ice layer that appears as wet pavement, making it very hard to detect.
WA DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 2
What causes hydroplaning at higher speeds on wet roads?