Rural road hazards — Louisiana Permit Test

On gravel or dirt roads, reduce your speed and increase your following distance, because stopping takes much longer.

Tires grip loose gravel and dirt poorly, so the car slides farther before it stops.

When driving on gravel or dirt, you must reduce your speed and increase your following distance, since it will take much longer to stop due to loss of traction.

On a dusty gravel road, use your low beam headlights so others can see you, slow down and increase your following distance.

Thick dust hides your car from other drivers, and lights help them spot you in time.

It is recommended that you use low beam headlights to make your vehicle more visible to others, slow down and increase your following distance.

On narrow rural roads, watch for narrow bridge signs and be prepared to stop for oncoming traffic.

A narrow bridge may fit only one car at a time, so someone may have to wait.

You should look for narrow bridge signs and be prepared to stop for oncoming traffic.

On open bridge gratings or steel bridges, reduce speed, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and increase your following distance.

Tires grip a steel grate less well, so braking and steering both take longer to work.

Due to the reduced traction, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and increase your following distance.

Before the crest of a hill or a curve on a rural road, slow down, move to the right side of the road and watch for oncoming vehicles.

Rural hills and curves are often steep and sharp, and a car can appear over the top with little warning.

Before reaching the crest of a hill or before entering a curve, slow down, move to the right side of the road and watch for oncoming vehicles.

Many rural railroad crossings have only signs and no lights or gates, so always slow down, look both ways and be prepared to stop for a train.

With no gates to stop you, only your own eyes and ears warn you of a train.

you should always slow down, look both ways and be prepared to stop for a train before crossing the tracks.

When approaching an uncontrolled rural intersection, slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

With no stop or yield sign, the other driver may not stop either.

When approaching an uncontrolled rural intersection slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

What should you do when driving on a gravel or dirt road?

Reduce speed and add following distance. Tires grip loose gravel and dirt poorly, so the car slides farther before it stops. Class D & E Driver's Guide, p.103: “When driving on gravel or dirt, you must reduce your speed and increase your following distance, since it will take much longer to stop due to loss of traction.”