WA DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Where does ice tend to form first when temperatures drop?
- On bridges and overpasses (Correct answer)
- On gravel shoulders
- In parking lots
- On uphill grades facing the sun
Correct answer: On bridges and overpasses
Bridges freeze first because cold air circulates both above and below the road surface.
Question 2: If your rear wheels begin to skid, which way should you steer?
- In the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding (Correct answer)
- Opposite the direction of the slide
- Straight ahead while braking hard
- Toward the center line of the road
Correct answer: In the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding
Steering into the skid brings the rear wheels back in line with the front of the vehicle.
Question 3: After driving through deep water, what should you do to restore your brakes?
- Apply the brakes gently while driving slowly until they work normally (Correct answer)
- Pull over and let the brakes air-dry for an hour
- Pump the parking brake several times at highway speed
- Accelerate quickly to blow water off the pads
Correct answer: Apply the brakes gently while driving slowly until they work normally
Light braking at low speed creates heat that dries wet brake linings and restores stopping power.
Question 4: What is the safest response when you encounter a flooded section of roadway?
- Turn around and find another route (Correct answer)
- Drive through quickly before the water rises
- Follow the tire tracks of a larger vehicle
- Cross slowly with your hazard lights on
Correct answer: Turn around and find another route
Even shallow moving water can stall your engine or sweep a vehicle away, so you should never attempt to cross.
Question 5: When strong crosswinds are blowing, which vehicles are affected the most?
- High-profile vehicles like trucks, buses, and vehicles towing trailers (Correct answer)
- Low sports cars with wide tires
- Compact cars with front-wheel drive
- Motorcycles parked on the shoulder
Correct answer: High-profile vehicles like trucks, buses, and vehicles towing trailers
Tall vehicles and trailers present a large surface for wind and can be pushed out of their lane.
Question 6: Driving into bright sun glare near sunrise or sunset, you should:
- Slow down and use your sun visor (Correct answer)
- Wear darker clothing
- Flash your high beams at oncoming traffic
- Look directly at the sun to adjust your eyes
Correct answer: Slow down and use your sun visor
Reducing speed and blocking glare with the visor helps compensate for sharply reduced visibility.
Question 7: In snowy conditions, gentle acceleration from a stop helps you avoid:
- Spinning your drive wheels and losing traction (Correct answer)
- Overheating the transmission
- Draining the battery
- Wearing out the windshield wipers
Correct answer: Spinning your drive wheels and losing traction
Easing onto the gas keeps the drive wheels from spinning on slick surfaces so the tires can grip.
WA DMV Weather and Hazardous Conditions 3
Where does ice tend to form first when temperatures drop?