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Difficulty: MediumSpeed Limits and Speed Regulation

A driver is traveling down a narrow residential street lined with parked cars where the posted speed limit is 30 mph30\text{ mph}. Winter slush and icy patches cover the pavement, and pedestrians are walking close to the roadway edge. Under standard traffic regulations and speed laws, which of the following actions is the driver legally required to take?

  1. A
    Maintain the posted speed limit of 30 mph30\text{ mph} as long as the vehicle remains within the designated travel lane.
  2. Reduce speed below 30 mph30\text{ mph} to a rate that is safe and reasonable for the icy road conditions and pedestrian presence.Answer
  3. C
    Increase speed slightly to 35 mph35\text{ mph} to clear the slippery residential block as quickly as possible.
  4. D
    Maintain 30 mph30\text{ mph} while continuously flashing the hazard lights to warn nearby pedestrians.

Answer

The driver must reduce speed below the posted limit of 30 mph30\text{ mph} to a speed that is safe for the current icy pavement and pedestrian conditions.
Under the Basic Speed Law, drivers must never operate a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent given weather, visibility, traffic, and roadway conditions. Because icy patches and pedestrians create hazardous conditions, the driver must reduce speed below the posted maximum of 30 mph30\text{ mph}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relevant speed regulation law
Recognize that the Basic Speed Law applies in all driving situations alongside maximum posted limits.
Posted speed limits represent the maximum speed allowable under ideal weather and road conditions.
2
Evaluate prevailing environmental and roadway hazards
Acknowledge that icy patches, slush, narrow lanes, and nearby pedestrians significantly reduce traction and reaction buffers.
Hazardous road conditions render the posted maximum limit unsafe.
3
Determine the mandatory driver action
Select a reduced, safe speed below 30 mph30\text{ mph} to maintain vehicle control and ensure pedestrian safety.
Drivers are legally obligated to adjust velocity to match actual road conditions.

Key Concept

Basic Speed Law
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Topics

Speed Limits and Speed Regulation

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