Adverse Weather Driving Flashcards

Which vehicles are most at risk in strong crosswinds?

Answer: High-sided vehicles, motorcycles, and cyclists

High-sided vehicles (lorries, caravans, buses), motorcycles, and cyclists are most vulnerable to crosswinds due to their large flat surfaces or light weight. Give them extra space on exposed roads.

What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid on ice?

Answer: Steer into the skid and ease off the accelerator

If the rear of the vehicle slides to the right, steer gently to the right (into the skid). Ease off the accelerator and avoid braking. This helps the tyres regain grip.

Why should you avoid using cruise control in wet or icy conditions?

Answer: If the wheels lose grip, it may accelerate and worsen a skid

Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery surfaces. If the driven wheels lose grip, the system may increase power to maintain speed, making a skid worse. You need full manual control.

When parking on a hill in snowy conditions, what additional precaution should you take?

Answer: Leave it in gear (or Park for automatics) and turn the wheels towards the kerb

In snowy conditions on a hill, leave the vehicle in gear (or Park) with the handbrake on. Turn the front wheels towards the kerb so if the vehicle slides, it moves towards the kerb rather than into traffic.

What is the recommended following distance in wet weather?

Answer: At least 4 seconds (double the dry weather gap)

In wet weather, you should at least double the two-second following distance used in dry conditions, giving at least a four-second gap. This accounts for the longer stopping distance on wet roads.

Why can bridges and flyovers be particularly dangerous in cold weather?

Answer: They freeze before normal road surfaces because cold air circulates above and below

Bridges and flyovers are exposed to cold air on all sides, including underneath, so they freeze before the roads leading up to them. Ice can form even when other road surfaces appear clear.