While operating a commercial vehicle, you transition from dry pavement onto a roadway surface covered with packed snow. To maintain traction and safe vehicle control according to standard CDL guidelines, what operational adjustments should you make?
- AKeep the engine retarder fully activated to preserve the service brakes and maintain your current cruising speed.
- Reduce vehicle speed by approximately one-third and switch off the engine retarder.Answer
- CMaintain normal highway cruising speed and preserve standard dry-road following distance intervals.
- DMaintain standard cruising speed as long as steer tires have at least 2/32 inch of remaining tread depth.
Answer
Reduce vehicle speed by approximately one-third and switch off the engine retarder.
According to the Commercial Driver's License manual, drivers should reduce vehicle speed by approximately one-third on packed snow (and by one-half or more on ice). In addition, engine retarders must be turned off whenever the road surface is wet, icy, or snow-covered because auxiliary brake drag applied only to the drive wheels can cause loss of traction and induce an uncontrollable skid.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Speed Management and Retarder Precautions on Packed Snow
Estimated Time:1m 0s