CDL · Hazardous Conditions

Which of the following is most likely to be slippery when wet?

Correct answer

Asphalt that has just begun to get wet after a long dry spell

  1. A Asphalt that has just begun to get wet after a long dry spell
  2. B Concrete that has been wet for an hour
  3. C A road in steady rain after 45 minutes
  4. D A road that has been thoroughly soaked in heavy rain for several hours

Why this is the answer

A road is most slippery during the first few minutes of rain after a long dry spell. Oil, rubber, and other contaminants build up on the road surface during dry weather. When water first hits, it mixes with these substances to form a slick, almost greasy film. Once the road has been thoroughly washed by sustained rain, the contaminants are flushed off and traction improves somewhat, though wet pavement is still less grippy than dry. This is why crashes spike in the first 15 to 30 minutes of a rainstorm and why experienced drivers slow down immediately when rain starts rather than waiting for the road to look wet. Bridges and overpasses freeze first and stay slippery longer because they lose heat from both sides.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 2.6.4 Slippery Surfaces

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