Hazardous Conditions: Night, Weather, Mountains, and Curves
Hazardous conditions demand slower speeds and more space. At night, visibility drops and glare from oncoming lights can blind you; reduce speed, keep the windshield clean, and use low beams in fog, rain, and snow because high beams reflect back. In rain and snow, traction drops and stopping distances grow; hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on water-ease off the accelerator and do not brake hard. In fog, slow down and increase following distance.
Mountain driving tests brake management. On long downgrades, select a lower gear and use engine braking so the service brakes do not overheat and fade. If brakes fade, use a lower gear and a runaway ramp if available. On curves, slow before entering and accelerate gently through. Watch for ice on bridges and shaded areas, and for crosswinds that push a high-profile bus.
Traps: riding the brakes down a mountain (causes fade), using high beams in fog, and braking hard while hydroplaning. Another trap is assuming four-wheel drive or a heavy vehicle improves stopping on ice-it does not.
Rule of thumb: in hazardous conditions, slow down and add following distance; on downgrades, use the same gear you used to climb. Worked example: descending a long grade, shift to a lower gear and use engine braking; if the brakes begin to fade, downshift further and use a runaway ramp rather than pumping the brakes.