Safe DrivingQuestion 34 of 120
Rain has just begun after a long dry spell and the road surface is slick. How should you adjust your following distance and speed?
a.Add at least one second of following distance and reduce speed by about one third
b.Keep the same following distance but brake earlier
c.Increase speed slightly to get off the wet road sooner
d.Follow closer so the vehicle ahead clears water from your lane
Explanation
On a wet road you should slow by roughly a third and add space, because traction and stopping ability are both reduced. Braking earlier alone does not create the extra cushion, and increasing speed or following closer directly increases the risk of a rear-end collision.
Practice all 120 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- If you double your speed from 20 mph to 40 mph, what happens to your braking distance?
- You are driving a 40-foot straight truck at 35 mph on a dry road. What is the minimum safe following distance?
- The same 40-foot vehicle is now traveling at 55 mph on dry pavement. What following distance should you keep?
- You are approaching a curve posted at 40 mph while driving a loaded tractor-trailer. What is the safest approach?
- You are starting down a long, steep grade in a loaded truck. What is the correct braking technique?
- Which factors determine the safe speed for descending a mountain grade?
Last reviewed: · editorial process
PrepPass Editorial Team · Verified against Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Test · How we review