You must drive in heavy snow on an Oregon road. Which of the following is recommended by the handbook?
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A.
Slow down, leave more room, and avoid cruise control. Correct
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B.
Drive at the posted limit so traffic flow stays consistent.
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C.
Brake hard to stop faster on deep snow.
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D.
Use cruise control to keep speed steady.
The answer is "Slow down, leave more room, and avoid cruise control."
On snow and ice the handbook says to drive at slower speeds, leave more room between you and the vehicle ahead, keep windows clear, and skip cruise control: once traction is lost it can spin the wheels, and it robs you of the smooth gas-pedal feel needed for control. Press the gas and brakes gently, and watch for bridges and shaded areas, which freeze first. Drivers who lean on cruise control for steady highway speeds are pulled toward D, but the handbook specifically bars its use on snow and ice.
The traps in the wrong answers
B. Drive at the posted limit so traffic flow stays consistent.
The posted limit is a ceiling for ideal conditions, not a target; in snow you must drive at a speed reasonable and cautious for existing conditions. This answer treats the posted speed limit as a target rather than a maximum for ideal conditions; the basic rule requires a speed reasonable and cautious for existing conditions.
C. Brake hard to stop faster on deep snow.
The handbook says to gently press and release the brakes; slamming on the brakes on snow or ice will likely cause your vehicle to skid. This answer treats hard braking as a way to shorten stopping distance on snow; the manual warns that slamming on the brakes will likely cause the vehicle to skid.
D. Use cruise control to keep speed steady.
The handbook explicitly tells you not to use cruise control on snow and ice. This answer confuses general steady-speed driving advice with snow/ice rules; the manual specifically says do not use cruise control on snow and ice.
This question tests your knowledge of Adverse Conditions in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Hazardous Conditions, Snow and Ice," p.78..
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