Question

Difficulty: EasyHydroplaning and Wet Road Traction Loss

Using cruise control while driving on wet or rain-slick roads increases the risk of losing vehicle control due to hydroplaning.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True
Driver handbooks and highway safety authorities explicitly advise disabling cruise control on wet or slippery pavement because automated acceleration during hydroplaning can lead to severe skidding or loss of control.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify vehicle behavior when cruise control is engaged on wet roads.
Cruise control continuously supplies engine power to maintain the selected set speed.
Automated systems cannot detect standing water or loss of surface friction.
2
Evaluate how cruise control interacts with hydroplaning.
When tires lift off the road surface on a layer of water, cruise control may accelerate the spinning wheels, resulting in a sudden loss of steering and braking control.
Safety regulations advise turning cruise control off in heavy rain or wet conditions to allow manual throttle modulation.

Key Concept

Cruise control restriction during wet road traction loss
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