Snow and ice — North Carolina Permit Test

Shady spots, bridges and overpasses are often the first places to freeze as the temperature drops, so watch for them.

A bridge has cold air above and below it, and a shady spot never sees the sun. Both ice over while the road beside them is wet.

As you drive, watch for shady spots, bridges and overpasses since these places are often the first to freeze as the temperature drops.

In a snowstorm reduce speed, use the wipers and low-beam headlights; reduce speed by more than half on packed snow and slow to a crawl on ice.

Packed snow gives the tires a fraction of their normal grip. Half speed is where that fraction becomes enough.

It is recommended that you reduce speed by more than half for packed snow and slow to a crawl on ice.

On snow or ice, increase speed slowly, start in second gear or higher with a manual transmission, allow at least three times the normal stopping distance, and keep your foot off the brake when stopping, letting the engine slow the car.

On ice the brakes lock the wheels and the car slides on. Three times the distance is what it takes without them.

Allow at least three times the normal stopping distance to slow down;

Even chains and snow tires can slide on ice and packed snow; you cannot start, stop or maneuver quickly in those conditions.

Chains help a car start and crawl. They do not turn ice into pavement, and a driver who thinks they do finds out in a corner.

but do not forget that even chains and snow tires can slide on ice and packed snow.

Which parts of the road freeze first as the temperature drops?

Bridges, overpasses and shady spots. A bridge has cold air above and below it, and a shady spot never sees the sun. Both ice over while the road beside them is wet. North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.73: “As you drive, watch for shady spots, bridges and overpasses since these places are often the first to freeze as the temperature drops.”