Roadwise States Maryland Driving lessons Rain, snow & ice Maryland driving lesson · Driving Conditions
Rain, snow & ice A 3-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Driving Conditions
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 28, 29 Wet, snowy and icy roads cut your traction, the grip between tires and road that lets you start, stop and steer. Think ahead and act early instead of reacting to other drivers.
Traction The grip between your tires and the road that makes it possible for your vehicle to start, stop, and change direction.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ In inclement weather: Keep a much greater following distance on wet roads than dry; even more on snow or ice Reduce speed so you have more time to react Make sure your tires have good tread Avoid slamming on the brakes; without ABS, pump the brakes to prevent skidding Avoid jerking the wheel or quickly changing speed Make sure your wipers work well, and use your headlights Handbook p. 28 ↗ Know the rule
Ramps and bridges freeze before roads. Plowed roads may refreeze at night or have icy patches from snow that melted during the day.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ Black ice A thin layer of ice on blacktop (asphalt) that is very hard or impossible to see, caused by ice or snow melting and re-freezing.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Know the rule
There is no such thing as a "completely safe" speed on ice and snow. Four-wheel drive vehicles can slide on ice and snow too.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ On snow or ice: Slow down; nothing makes normal speeds safe Remove all ice and snow from your vehicle; keep windows and lights clear Start very slowly, then test your brakes gently Start slowing long before intersections and turns Keep your gas tank and washer fluid full Use chains, snow tires or radial tires on snow emergency routes when a snow emergency is declared Handbook p. 29 ↗ Emergency kit supplies: Flares Flashlight and batteries First aid kit Blanket Kitty litter or sand (for traction) Small shovel and ice scraper Handbook p. 29 ↗ Put it into practice
It's below freezing after a sunny afternoon, and the road just looks wet. Treat bridges, ramps and shiny blacktop as possible black ice: slow down early and brake gently.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
On a slippery road, how should you brake if your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes? Pump the brakes to prevent skidding Slam on the brakes fully Use only the parking brake Brake hard while jerking the wheel Answer: Pump the brakes to prevent skidding
Avoid slamming on your brakes; if your vehicle does not have an anti-lock braking system, pump the brakes to prevent skidding.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ What is black ice? Ice that is black in color from dirt A thin, nearly invisible ice layer Ice mixed with road salt Ice only found on bridges, never roads Answer: A thin, nearly invisible ice layer
Black ice is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on asphalt caused by ice or snow melting and refreezing.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ What should you do in winter before you start driving in snow or ice? Only clear the front windshield Remove all ice and snow from your vehicle and windows Let some air out of the tires for grip Nothing extra is required Answer: Remove all ice and snow from your vehicle and windows
Before driving in snow or ice, keep your windows and lights clear and remove all ice and snow from your vehicle.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ When a snow emergency is declared, what should you use on designated snow emergency routes? All-season tires with extra air Your four-wheel drive setting Chains, snow tires, or radial tires Hazard lights and high beams Answer: Chains, snow tires, or radial tires
Use chains, snow tires, or radial tires on designated snow emergency routes when a snow emergency is declared.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ There is no such thing as a completely safe speed on ice and snow-covered roads. True False Answer: True
The handbook states there is no completely safe speed on ice and snow.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Four-wheel drive vehicles cannot slide on ice or snow. True False Answer: False
Four-wheel drive vehicles can still slide on ice and snow; driving on these surfaces is always unpredictable.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Previous lesson Night driving & fog Next lesson Skids & hydroplaning More in Driving Conditions About the source Roadwise’s Maryland course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 28, 29. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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