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Question

Difficulty: EasyWinter Driving, Snow, and Black Ice

Under the Basic Speed Law, how should a driver adjust their speed on a roadway with a posted speed limit of 55 mph during a snowstorm on an icy road?

  1. Reduce speed below the posted 55 mph limit to a rate that is safe for the icy road conditions.Answer
  2. B
    Maintain the posted limit of 55 mph because posted speed limits apply regardless of weather conditions.
  3. C
    Increase speed slightly to clear the icy section of the road as quickly as possible.
  4. D
    Drive at any speed, because speed limit signs are completely non-binding during severe weather.

Answer

Reduce speed below the posted 55 mph limit to a rate that is safe for the icy road conditions.
The Basic Speed Law dictates that drivers must never operate a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent given current weather, visibility, and road conditions. On snow and ice, traction is severely compromised, requiring a speed reduction below the maximum posted speed limit.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the weather and road hazards.
Recognize that snow and ice significantly reduce tire traction.
Slippery surfaces require longer stopping distances and lower travel speeds.
2
Apply the Basic Speed Law rule.
Determine that the posted 55 mph limit applies only to ideal conditions.
The law mandates driving at a safe, reasonable speed for current conditions, which means slowing down below the posted limit.

Key Concept

Basic Speed Law in Adverse Winter Weather
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Topics

Winter Driving, Snow, and Black Ice

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