According to the Oregon handbook, when is a road most likely to be the MOST slippery?
-
A.
Well below freezing, around 10 degrees.
-
B.
Near the freezing point, around 32 degrees. Correct
-
C.
Well above freezing, on a cool but ice-free day.
-
D.
Hot and dry in the middle of summer.
The answer is "Near the freezing point, around 32 degrees."
The Oregon handbook says a road is likely to be the most slippery when the temperature is near the freezing point rather than below freezing. Right around 32 degrees a thin film of water on the ice makes it slickest; well below freezing the ice is drier and grips slightly better; and above freezing, or in hot dry weather, there is no ice at all. Among these conditions, near the freezing point is the most slippery.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Well below freezing, around 10 degrees.
The handbook contrasts near-freezing with below-freezing and calls near-freezing the more slippery of the two. Ice well below freezing tends to be drier and grips slightly better.
C. Well above freezing, on a cool but ice-free day.
Above freezing the road is not icing over, so it is not at its most slippery; the handbook ties peak slipperiness to a temperature near the freezing point.
D. Hot and dry in the middle of summer.
Hot, dry pavement carries no ice and is not the handbook's most-slippery condition, which is a temperature near the freezing point.
This question tests your knowledge of Adverse Conditions in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Snow and Ice," p.78..
Related Oregon questions
- When must you turn on your headlights in Oregon? →
- You're driving into thick fog on an Oregon road. Which lights should you use? →
- It's raining in Oregon and you've turned on your windshield wipers. What else must you do with your lights? →
- Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle's tires skim or float over a wet road surface, reducing or eliminating steering and braking. What does the Oregon manual recommend to reduce the risk? →
- You must drive in heavy snow on an Oregon road. Which of the following is recommended by the handbook? →
The Oregon book is on the way
Drop your email and we'll send the free Oregon cheat sheet now, plus a note the moment the book is available.