GDL Adverse Weather and Road Conditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the greatest danger of driving on roads covered with leaves in autumn?
- Leaves improve traction by cushioning the tires
- Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice (Correct answer)
- Leaves are only dangerous if they are dry
- Leaf debris has no effect on braking distance
Correct answer: Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice
Wet leaves compress and become extremely slippery, creating road conditions similar to ice and significantly increasing stopping distances.
Question 2: A new GDL driver is approaching a flooded road section. What should they do?
- Drive through slowly to gauge depth
- Speed through quickly to avoid water damage
- Turn around and find an alternate route (Correct answer)
- Follow another vehicle closely through the water
Correct answer: Turn around and find an alternate route
Even a few inches of moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road; turning around and finding an alternate route is the safest choice.
Question 3: How much can wet pavement increase a vehicle's stopping distance compared to dry pavement?
- About 25%
- About 50–100% (Correct answer)
- Less than 10%
- There is no measurable difference
Correct answer: About 50–100%
Wet pavement can roughly double stopping distance because water reduces friction between tires and the road surface.
Question 4: When driving in heavy rain, a GDL driver should:
- Use high beams to improve forward visibility
- Turn off windshield wipers to avoid distraction
- Slow down and turn on headlights (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to reduce time in the rain
Correct answer: Slow down and turn on headlights
Slowing down reduces hydroplaning risk and increases reaction time, while headlights make the vehicle visible to others in reduced-visibility conditions.
Question 5: Bridges and overpasses freeze before regular road sections because:
- They receive more direct sunlight
- Air can cool them from both above and below (Correct answer)
- They are built with thinner pavement
- Salt trucks avoid bridges to prevent corrosion
Correct answer: Air can cool them from both above and below
Bridges are exposed to cold air on both top and bottom surfaces, allowing them to lose heat faster and freeze sooner than roads built on solid ground.
Question 6: What does 'reduced traction' mean for a GDL driver in snowy conditions?
- The engine produces less horsepower in cold weather
- Tires have less grip on the road, making steering and braking less effective (Correct answer)
- Four-wheel drive makes snow driving as safe as dry pavement
- Only acceleration is affected, not braking
Correct answer: Tires have less grip on the road, making steering and braking less effective
Snow reduces the friction between tires and the road, meaning both steering control and braking effectiveness are significantly reduced.
Question 7: When a GDL driver's car begins to skid on slippery pavement, the correct response is to:
- Brake hard and hold the wheel straight
- Steer in the opposite direction of the skid
- Steer in the direction of the skid while easing off the gas (Correct answer)
- Shift into neutral immediately
Correct answer: Steer in the direction of the skid while easing off the gas
Steering into the skid helps realign the front wheels with the direction of travel, allowing the driver to regain control.
GDL Adverse Weather and Road Conditions 2
Which of the following is the greatest danger of driving on roads covered with leaves in autumn?