Winter driving — South Carolina Permit Test

Bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads tend to freeze first.

A road can be clear while the bridge on it is iced, catching drivers who judged by the road.

Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roadways because they tend to freeze first.

Even above freezing, wet conditions can leave ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

The air temperature does not tell you what the road surface is doing in the shade.

Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

Keep a full tank of gasoline in winter to prevent condensation in the tank, which may freeze.

Water from condensation can freeze in the fuel system and leave you stranded.

Keep a full tank of gasoline to prevent condensation within your gas tank, which may freeze.

Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions.

Cruise control keeps powering the wheels when they hit ice, when you need to ease off.

Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions.

Loading extra weight into the trunk helps a rear-wheel-drive car get traction in winter.

Weight over the driven wheels presses the tires onto the snow so they can grip.

Load extra weight into the trunk of your car.

If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, do not spin your wheels.

Spinning wheels only dig the vehicle in deeper.

If your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, do not spin your wheels.

In winter, generally avoid hills; if necessary, drive slowly with a steady pace and space ahead, since a car stopped on an icy hill may not get going again.

Once stopped on a slick hill, the wheels may not find enough grip to move again.

If you stop on a hill, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get going again.

If you skid on snow or ice with standard brakes, pump them gently; with ABS, apply steady pressure.

Standard brakes lock when held hard on ice, while pumping ABS switches it off; each system needs its own technique.

If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

When possible in snow, travel in the tracks where other vehicles have gone before.

The packed tracks give the tires a firmer surface than fresh, deep snow.

When possible, travel in the tracks where other vehicles have gone before.

On snow and ice, applying the brakes gently is best for slowing down or stopping.

Hard braking on a slick surface locks the wheels and starts a skid.

Applying the brakes gently is best for slowing down or stopping.

Which surfaces tend to freeze first in winter?

Bridges and overpasses. A road can be clear while the bridge on it is iced, catching drivers who judged by the road. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.131: “Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roadways because they tend to freeze first.”