Curves and slippery roads — Montana Permit Test

Always slow down before you enter a curve so you do not have to brake in it; braking in a curve can cause a skid.

Tires already working to turn the car have little grip left, so braking mid-curve sends it sliding.

Always slow down before you enter the curve so you do not have to brake in the curve.

On a wet road, the manual says to reduce your speed by about 10 mph.

Wet tires do not grip as well, so the same speed as on a dry day needs more road to stop.

On a wet road, reduce your speed about 10 mph.

On packed snow, cut your speed in half.

Packed snow gives a fraction of the grip of dry pavement, and a small cut in speed is not enough to stop in time.

On packed snow, cut your speed in half.

On ice you must slow to a crawl; it is very dangerous to drive on ice.

Ice gives almost no grip, so even a modest speed turns a light tap of the brake into a long slide.

On ice, you must slow to a crawl.

If you become stranded in a snowstorm, the best thing to do is stay in the car, because you are more likely to be found.

A driver who walks off into a blizzard can get lost and freeze, while the car is easy for rescuers to spot.

If you become stranded in a snowstorm, the best thing to do is stay in the car because you are more likely to be found.

In Montana, studded tires are not allowed June 1 through September 30, because they can damage roads.

Studs chew up dry summer pavement and buy no grip when there is no ice to bite.

Studded tires are not allowed June 1 through September 30.

When should you slow down for a curve?

Before you enter it. Tires already working to turn the car have little grip left, so braking mid-curve sends it sliding. Montana Driver Manual, p.60: “Always slow down before you enter the curve so you do not have to brake in the curve.”