What behaviour increases the risk of skidding on icy road surfaces?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
B. Sudden speed increase.
Explanation
On an icy surface, the risk of skidding is increased by a sudden increase in speed - the answer is B. Pressing the accelerator suddenly makes the driving wheels go beyond the limit of grip and start to spin; a rear-wheel drive car may then turn sideways, and a front-wheel drive car stops responding to the steering wheel.
Driving in third gear (A) or changing to a lower gear (C) do not in themselves cause a skid if you do it smoothly; a higher gear on snow actually helps, because it limits the torque at the wheels. The winter rule is: do everything slowly and gently - accelerator, brake and steering wheel. The Road Traffic Act requires you to adjust your speed to the condition of the road surface and the weather conditions.
Legal basis: Art. 19 para. 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)