Roadwise States Montana Driving lessons Road conditions: gravel, curves and ice Montana driving lesson · Speed, Space & Road Conditions
Road conditions: gravel, curves and ice A 3-minute lesson from the Montana 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 Speed, Space & Road Conditions
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 69, 70 The faster you go, the more distance you need to turn, slow or stop. Your only contact with the road is your tires, so match your speed to the surface: gravel, curves, rain, snow and ice all cut your grip.
Know the rule
Stopping from 60 mph doesn't take twice the distance of stopping from 30 mph — it takes over three times the distance.
Handbook p. 69 ↗ Know the rule
Slow down before a curve, when the road is slippery, and when there's standing water on the road.
Handbook p. 69 ↗ Gravel and dirt roads Less traction than concrete or asphalt — slow down Stops take much longer, and it's much easier to skid when turning A “washboard” series of potholes can affect steering and control Dry-season dust cuts vision — use low beams so others can see you Roads can be narrow with little or no shoulder and steep, dangerous ditches Watch for narrow bridge signs and be prepared to stop for oncoming traffic Handbook p. 69 ↗ Know the rule
Slow down before you enter a curve so you don't have to brake in it — braking in a curve can cause a skid.
Handbook p. 70 ↗ Know the rule
Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow or sleet. Use snow tires or chains on snow, and don't drive on icy roads if at all possible.
Handbook p. 70 ↗ Where roads get slippery first Shady spots on cold, wet days — they freeze first and dry out last Bridges and overpasses — no earth underneath to insulate them Ice near the freezing point — wet ice is slicker than colder ice The first minutes of rain on a hot day, while oil rises from the asphalt Handbook p. 70 ↗ Know the rule
If you become stranded in a snowstorm, stay in the car — you're more likely to be found.
Handbook p. 70 ↗ Put it into practice
It's 33°F and drizzling. The highway feels fine, but ahead is a shaded overpass. Ease off before you reach it: bridges and shady spots ice over first, and ice near freezing is the slickest.
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.
Studded tires are allowed in Montana year-round. True False Answer: False
Studded tires are not allowed from June 1 through September 30 because they can damage the road.
Handbook p. 70 ↗ On a wet road, about how much should you reduce your speed compared to normal conditions? About 10 mph About 25 mph About 2 mph No reduction is needed if you have good tires Answer: About 10 mph
On a wet road, reduce your speed by about 10 mph since tires don't grip as well.
Handbook p. 70 ↗ On packed snow, how should you adjust your speed compared to dry pavement? Reduce speed by 10 mph Cut your speed in half Maintain normal speed with snow tires Reduce speed by 5 mph only Answer: Cut your speed in half
On packed snow, cut your speed in half compared to normal dry-pavement speed.
Handbook p. 70 ↗ On a dry gravel road kicking up heavy dust, what does the manual recommend to make your vehicle easier to see? High beam headlights Low beam headlights Hazard flashers Parking lights Answer: Low beam headlights
Gravel roads can get extremely dusty, so drivers are advised to use low beam headlights to be more visible.
Handbook p. 69 ↗ Braking while you are in a curve can cause your vehicle to skid. True False Answer: True
Slow down before the curve so you don't have to brake in it; braking in a curve can cause a skid.
Handbook p. 70 ↗ Compared with stopping from 30 mph, how much distance does it take to stop from 60 mph? Exactly twice as much About the same distance About one and a half times Over three times as much Answer: Over three times as much
Stopping at 60 mph does not take twice the distance needed at 30 mph, but over three times the distance.
Handbook p. 69 ↗ Previous lesson Following distance and space behind Next lesson Hydroplaning, skids and wildlife More in Speed, Space & Road Conditions About the source Roadwise’s Montana course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 69, 70. 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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