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Difficulty: HardAdjusting Margins in Ice and Snow

When descending a steep road covered in compacted snow and ice, selecting a higher gear and applying continuous light footbrake pressure is the recommended technique to maintain vehicle control and safe separation margins.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False
When driving down a steep, icy hill, drivers must select a low gear before beginning the descent to allow engine braking to control vehicle speed smoothly without locking the wheels or breaking tyre adhesion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the physical risks associated with descending an icy or snow-covered gradient.
Surface friction is severely compromised, meaning standard friction brakes can easily lock the wheels and induce a skid.
Locking the wheels eliminates steering capability and drastically increases stopping distance on icy slopes.
2
Evaluate the proper procedural adjustment for gear selection and speed retardation under winter driving rules.
Drivers must select a low gear prior to the descent to utilise engine braking, minimizing the necessity for footbrake intervention.
Engine braking provides consistent retarding force across driven wheels without breaking rolling traction.
3
Determine the truth value of the stem statement.
The statement recommends a higher gear and continuous footbraking, which directly contradicts established safety procedures.
Using a higher gear removes engine retarding resistance, forcing reliance on the footbrake and dramatically heightening skid risk.

Key Concept

Engine braking and gear selection on icy descents
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Adjusting Margins in Ice and Snow

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