Adjusting for conditions — Kentucky Permit Test

A Kentucky driver always reduces speed before entering a curve, to a speed that allows slight and constant acceleration through it.

Braking inside a curve is what breaks the tires loose, and the slowing has to happen before it.

Curves - Always reduce speed before entering the curve to a safe speed

Hard braking after entering a Kentucky curve could cause the vehicle tires to lose traction.

The tires are already working hard on the turn. Braking asks them for grip they do not have.

Hard braking after entry to a curve could cause the vehicle tires to lose traction.

A Kentucky driver reduces speed at the first sign of rain, snow, sleet or ice, because tires do not grip as well on a slippery roadway.

The first few minutes of rain lift oil off the road, which is when it is most slippery.

Slippery roads – Reduce speed at the first sign of rain, snow, sleet, or ice.

Kentucky hydroplaning happens when the steering tires start to ride up on pooled water, so the tires are not contacting the actual road surface.

The car feels light and the steering goes vague, because nothing is touching the road.

Hydroplaning – Hydroplaning occurs when the steering tires start to ride up on any pooled water

The best way to avoid Kentucky traction loss from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet with pooled water.

Speed is what lifts the tire onto the water, so taking speed away is the cure.

The best way to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet with pooled water or water puddles.

A Kentucky driver should not drive through large bodies of standing water on a road and should find another route if the roadway is flooded.

Water that looks shallow can be deep enough to float the car, and a floating car goes where the water goes.

If you see a flooded roadway, find another route to get to your destination.

On a slippery Kentucky road a driver should not try to stop rapidly or turn quickly until speed has slowed and the tires have regained traction.

Asking a sliding tire to do anything sharply makes the slide worse.

Do not try to stop rapidly or turn quickly until your speed has slowed and your tires have regained traction with the roadway.

A Kentucky driver pumps the brakes gently on a slippery road unless the vehicle has anti-lock brakes, in which case steady pressure is applied.

The right technique depends on the car, and using the wrong one lengthens the stop.

Pump your brakes gently, unless your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, in which case you should apply steady pressure to the brakes.

When does Kentucky say to reduce speed for a curve?

Before entering the curve. Braking inside a curve is what breaks the tires loose, and the slowing has to happen before it. Kentucky Driver Manual, p.50: “Curves - Always reduce speed before entering the curve to a safe speed”