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Difficulty: MediumAdjusting Margins in Ice and Snow

You are driving along a motorway when sudden freezing conditions cause black ice to form across the carriageway. How should you adjust your driving and safety margins to maintain vehicle control?

  1. A
    Double your following distance and brake normally as you would in wet conditions
  2. Reduce your speed gently and allow up to ten times the normal stopping distanceAnswer
  3. C
    Brake firmly at regular intervals to gauge the level of tyre grip on the road surface
  4. D
    Select neutral and coast whenever slowing down to prevent the driven wheels from locking

Answer

Reduce your speed gently and allow up to ten times the normal stopping distance
According to The Highway Code, stopping distances in icy or snowy conditions can increase by up to ten times compared to normal dry roads. Drivers must reduce speed smoothly, use gentle control inputs, and leave ample space ahead to stop safely without harsh braking.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the prevailing road hazard and surface condition
Black ice on a high-speed motorway significantly reduces tyre friction to near-zero levels.
Recognising severe friction loss dictates immediate safety margin adjustment.
2
Apply Highway Code rule for icy and snowy road conditions
Stopping distances can increase by up to ten times compared to dry road conditions.
Drivers must slow down progressively, avoid sudden braking, and maintain a vastly increased separation buffer.

Key Concept

Stopping distance multiplier and gentle vehicle control on ice and snow
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Adjusting Margins in Ice and Snow

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