WYDOT Wyoming Road Conditions and Winter Driving 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving on icy roads in Wyoming, you should increase your following distance to at least how many seconds?
- 3 seconds
- 5 seconds
- 8 to 10 seconds (Correct answer)
- 2 seconds
Correct answer: 8 to 10 seconds
On icy roads, you should increase your following distance to 8–10 seconds to allow adequate stopping time.
Question 2: What does a 'Road Closed' sign from WYDOT mean for drivers?
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- Turn around — the road ahead is impassable (Correct answer)
- One lane is available for travel
- Commercial vehicles only must stop
Correct answer: Turn around — the road ahead is impassable
A 'Road Closed' sign means drivers must turn around because the road is impassable due to weather, hazard, or construction.
Question 3: Which Wyoming highway corridor is most notorious for dangerous blowing and drifting snow closures?
- US-26 through Dubois
- I-80 between Laramie and Rawlins (Correct answer)
- US-14 near Cody
- WY-22 through Teton Pass
Correct answer: I-80 between Laramie and Rawlins
I-80 between Laramie and Rawlins is one of the most frequently closed highway segments in Wyoming due to extreme winds and blowing snow.
Question 4: When should you use tire chains in Wyoming?
- Only on gravel roads
- Whenever WYDOT requires them or road conditions demand it (Correct answer)
- Only when driving uphill
- Only on interstate highways
Correct answer: Whenever WYDOT requires them or road conditions demand it
Chains should be used whenever WYDOT mandates them or when ice and snow make traction insufficient for safe travel.
Question 5: What is 'black ice' and why is it particularly dangerous?
- Dark-colored asphalt that absorbs heat
- A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road surface (Correct answer)
- Ice that forms only on bridges and overpasses
- Packed snow that appears dark from tire marks
Correct answer: A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road surface
Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that blends with the road surface, making it nearly impossible to see and extremely slippery.
Question 6: If your vehicle begins to skid on a snowy Wyoming road, what is the correct response?
- Brake hard immediately
- Steer in the direction of the skid and ease off the accelerator (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to regain traction
- Turn the wheel sharply in the opposite direction
Correct answer: Steer in the direction of the skid and ease off the accelerator
To recover from a skid, steer gently in the direction the rear is sliding and ease off the accelerator to regain control.
WYDOT Wyoming Road Conditions and Winter Driving 1
When driving on icy roads in Wyoming, you should increase your following distance to at least how many seconds?