Winter Driving Safety Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. You are approaching a long downhill section covered with packed snow. Which approach best helps you maintain control?
Build speed before the descent so less acceleration is needed downhill
Coast in neutral and use occasional firm braking
Slow before descending, select an appropriate lower gear, and make gentle inputs
Hold the brake pedal lightly throughout the entire descent
2. Which emergency-kit combination is most useful if winter weather leaves you stranded?
Warm clothing or blankets, water and snacks, a flashlight, and a charged communication device
A tire gauge, car wax, jumper cables, and an extra phone case
A road atlas, spare wiper blades, work gloves, and coolant
Spare sunglasses, paper maps, cleaning wipes, and engine oil
3. What is “black ice”?
Compacted snow darkened by tire residue
A thin, transparent layer of ice that can blend into the pavement
Ice found only where a road remains permanently shaded
Frozen slush that forms only when temperatures rise above freezing
4. Why should cruise control generally be avoided on snowy or icy roads?
It prevents the headlights from adjusting to changing visibility
It may apply power when traction changes, reducing the driver's immediate speed control
It disables traction-control systems at low temperatures
It automatically maintains too little following distance
5. You come up behind a snowplow actively clearing a highway. What should you do?
Follow closely in the newly cleared track
Flash your high beams to signal that you intend to pass
Move alongside it so blowing snow stays behind your vehicle
Stay well back, remain out of its blind spots, and pass only when permitted and clearly safe
6. On a slippery road, the rear of your vehicle begins to slide sideways. What should you generally do first?
Brake sharply while steering away from the slide
Turn the wheel quickly back and forth to regain grip
Accelerate firmly to pull the vehicle straight
Ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly toward where you want to go
7. Before driving after snowfall, how much snow and ice should you remove from the vehicle?
Clear the front half of the vehicle so rear visibility is not affected by falling snow
Clear the windshield and driver-side window; airflow will remove the rest
Clear only the glass because snow on the roof helps insulate the cabin
Clear all windows, mirrors, lights, cameras when fitted, and exterior surfaces including the roof
8. Which statement best compares all-wheel drive with winter tires and careful driving?
All-wheel drive can aid acceleration, but it does not overcome limited grip when braking or turning
All-wheel drive shortens every emergency stop because all wheels receive power
All-wheel drive removes the need for winter tires whenever roads are plowed
All-wheel drive prevents skids as long as traction control is switched on
9. Your vehicle becomes stranded during a winter storm, help has been contacted, and no safe shelter is immediately nearby. What is generally the safest plan?
Walk toward the nearest road sign before snowfall covers your tracks
Run the engine continuously with all windows fully closed
Stay with the vehicle, make it visible, conserve warmth, and keep the exhaust clear if running the engine intermittently
Leave the vehicle so rescuers can see you more easily
10. You must make an emergency stop in a vehicle equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). What is the recommended technique?
Pump the brake pedal rapidly until the vehicle stops
Press the brake firmly and continuously while steering as needed
Apply the parking brake first, then use the brake pedal
Shift into neutral and use only light pedal pressure
11. A severe winter storm warning covers your planned route, and officials advise avoiding unnecessary travel. What is the safest response?
Postpone the trip or change plans until conditions improve
Leave earlier so you can reach the route before more snow accumulates
Continue if your vehicle has all-wheel drive
Take smaller roads because they will have less traffic
12. Heavy snowfall reflects your headlights back toward you and reduces visibility. Which lighting choice is generally best?
High beams, because they project light farther down the road
Parking lights only, to reduce glare from the snow
Low-beam headlights, with fog lights if appropriate and available
Hazard lights instead of headlights while the vehicle is moving
13. The air temperature is near freezing as you approach a bridge. Why should you be especially cautious?
Bridges are usually steeper than the roads connected to them
Cold air circulates above and below bridges, so they may ice before nearby roads
Road salt cannot be used on bridge surfaces
Wind makes vehicle brakes less responsive on bridges
14. Why can winter tires improve cold-weather performance compared with typical all-season tires?
Their added weight presses the vehicle more firmly onto the road
They prevent wheels from locking even when a vehicle lacks ABS
They make stopping distances on ice similar to those on dry pavement
Their tread design and rubber compound are intended to retain grip in cold, snowy conditions
15. After driving into deep snow, you plan to run the engine while waiting for assistance. What must you check first to reduce carbon-monoxide danger?
That the exhaust pipe is completely clear of snow and debris
That the fuel tank is at least half full
That the windshield wipers are raised
That the heater is set to recirculate cabin air
16. How should your following distance change when packed snow or ice reduces traction?
Keep the usual distance but watch the brake lights more closely
Shorten the distance so another vehicle cannot enter the gap
Increase it substantially to allow more time for gradual braking
Match the distance used in rain because both surfaces affect grip similarly