Slippery roads — Maine Permit Test

On a wet road, slow down 5 to 10 mph.

Wet pavement takes longer to stop on, so the old speed leaves too little room.

Here are some guidelines for how much to slow the car:

On packed snow, slow down to half speed.

Packed snow gives the tires far less grip than bare pavement.

Here are some guidelines for how much to slow the car:

On ice, slow to a crawl.

On ice the tires barely grip, and even a gentle turn can slide the car.

Here are some guidelines for how much to slow the car:

On cold, wet days, bridges and overpasses can hide spots of ice; they tend to freeze first and dry out last.

The road before the bridge can be wet and safe while the bridge deck is already ice.

On cold, wet days, bridges and overpasses can hide spots of ice. Be aware that bridges and overpasses tend to freeze first and dry out last.

Road ice near the freezing point is wet and slushy, and so more slippery than ice at colder temperatures.

Drivers expect the worst ice on the coldest days and get caught out on a mild one.

When the temperature is near freezing, road ice is wet (slushy) so is more slippery than at colder temperatures.

On a wet road, how much does the manual say to slow down?

By 5 to 10 mph. Wet pavement takes longer to stop on, so the old speed leaves too little room. Maine Driver’s License Manual, p.80: “Here are some guidelines for how much to slow the car:”