Nevada driving lesson · Special Driving Conditions
Bad weather & skids
A 3-minute lesson from the Nevada course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Nevada's weather is notoriously unpredictable — sudden wind, rain and snowstorms — and winter often means icy or snow-packed roads. The single most important adjustment is to slow down.
2 to 10 times
How much greater stopping distances may be on slippery roads than on dry pavement
In fog, rain or snow you can't see as well, and other drivers have the same trouble. Give them plenty of space and pay special attention to the tail lights ahead.
There's no completely safe speed on snow and ice; each block or stretch can differ with sun, shade and sanding. "Never drive faster than you'd want to in a crash."
Braking on snow and ice: in general use gentle, slow, touch-and-release braking. With ABS, firm continuous pressure is needed to activate the anti-lock feature.
Your tires have lost traction. It usually happens on ice or packed snow but can also occur on wet pavement or gravel; see your owner's manual for skid recovery.
It's November 15 and you're driving up to Lake Tahoe. Your studded snow tires are legal (October 1–April 30), but you still start slowly, test your brakes gently, and leave extra space.
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.
The most important thing to do when driving in bad weather is:
Use your high beams at all times
Follow more closely to see better
Use cruise control to hold speed
Slow down
Answer: Slow down
The handbook's key advice for bad weather is to slow down.