Can leaves lying on a roadway have an impact on the braking distance of a vehicle?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
B. Yes, because they may extend the braking distance.
Explanation
In the photo, the road is covered with a layer of fallen leaves. Leaves, especially wet ones, act like a slippery film between the tyre and the asphalt: grip drops in a similar way as on mud or snow, so the braking distance gets longer - answer B. Leaves will certainly not shorten it (A), and they do not leave it unaffected (C).
The Road Traffic Act requires you to drive at a speed that keeps the vehicle under control, taking into account, among other things, the condition of the road and the weather. In autumn, on roads among trees, you slow down in good time, brake gently and increase your following distance from the vehicle in front. Leaves on bends and before junctions are particularly treacherous.
Legal basis: Art. 19 para. 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)