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Difficulty: MediumSkid Control and Recovery

When a commercial motor vehicle begins to hydroplane on a water-covered roadway, immediately applying the service brakes is the recommended procedure to regain tire traction.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False. Drivers should never brake while hydroplaning; they should release the accelerator and push in the clutch to allow the vehicle to slow down naturally until traction is restored.
The statement is false because standard commercial driving safety procedures prohibit braking during hydroplaning. Because the tires are separated from the road by water, applying the service brakes causes immediate wheel lockup and unpredictable vehicle yaw. The driver must ease off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to decelerate smoothly until tire contact is re-established.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the vehicle physics occurring during hydroplaning.
Tires ride up on a thin layer of standing water, completely losing contact with the road surface.
Without surface contact, friction between the tire and the pavement drops near zero.
2
Evaluate the effect of applying the service brakes while riding on water.
Braking locks the unweighted wheels instantly, destroying any remaining gyroscopic stability and eliminating steering capability.
Locked wheels slide uncontrollably across the water film rather than rolling through it.
3
Identify the standard CDL emergency recovery protocol.
Release the accelerator, avoid touching the brake pedal, and push in the clutch to let rolling resistance slow the vehicle.
Deceleration allows tire treads to channel water away and re-establish physical contact with the road.

Key Concept

Hydroplaning response and braking hazard avoidance
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Skid Control and Recovery

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