Bad weather — Indiana Permit Test

Ramps, bridges and overpasses may freeze before the rest of the road.

Cold air passes under a bridge as well as over it, so ice forms there first.

Be aware that moisture on ramps, bridges, and overpasses may occasionally freeze before other sections of the driving roadway.

In winter, drive with a full tank of gas so the heater can keep running if you are stranded.

If you get stuck in snow, the engine is what keeps you warm until help comes.

Drive with a full tank of gas so that if stranded, the heater can remain in use for as long as possible.

On wet roads your tires can ride on a thin layer of oil, dirt and water and hydroplane, leaving no grip to brake, speed up or turn.

Once the tires lose touch with the road, small changes can send the car out of control.

If this happens, there is no friction to brake, speed up, or turn, and a gust of wind, a change of road level, or a slight turn can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

After driving through water puddles, test your brakes by pumping them to help dry them.

Wet brakes grab poorly, so check them before you need them.

After driving through water puddles, test your brakes by pumping them.

In fog, drive slowly with low beams, not high beams.

High beams reflect off the fog back into your eyes; low beams light the road beneath it.

Do not use high headlight beams.

If fog closes in completely, carefully pull off the road as far as possible and stop.

Driving blind is how chain crashes happen. Get out of the traffic lanes and wait.

If fog closes in completely, and visibility is reduced to near zero, carefully pull off the road as far as possible and stop.

Do not drive where water covers the road, because its depth is hard to judge and it may hide a washout.

Flash floods cause more deaths than any other roadway weather event; a little moving water can carry a car away.

Do not drive where water is over the road, because the depth of the water is not always obvious, and the water may hide washouts

If your car stalls in a flooded area, leave it as soon as possible, because flood waters can rise quickly and sweep it away.

A car can be replaced; staying in it as water rises can cost your life.

If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible, because flood waters can rise rapidly and sweep a car and its occupants away

Strong winds have a large effect on high-profile vehicles such as vans and SUVs.

A tall vehicle catches the wind like a sail and can be pushed out of its lane.

Strong winds have a significant effect on high-profile vehicles (e.g., vans and sport utility vehicles).

Which part of the road may freeze first in winter?

Bridges, ramps and overpasses. Cold air passes under a bridge as well as over it, so ice forms there first. Indiana Driver's Manual, p.43: “Be aware that moisture on ramps, bridges, and overpasses may occasionally freeze before other sections of the driving roadway.”