Speed Management
What the exam tests
Speed management covers posted limits, curves, downgrades, work zones, and stopping distance. Questions test whether you can choose a safe speed for the road and load.
Core rules
- Never exceed the posted limit, and reduce speed for conditions.
- Enter a curve slowly and accelerate gently after the apex.
- Before a downgrade, select a lower gear and use engine braking.
- Do not ride the brakes; continuous braking overheats them.
- Slow down in work zones and when workers are present.
Worked example
A 60,000-pound vehicle approaches a 6% downgrade. The driver downshifts before the crest and lets engine braking hold speed, using brakes only briefly. If the driver waited and rode the brakes, the drums could overheat and fade. The reasoning is that brakes are for slowing, not for controlling a long descent.
Traps that cost marks
- Overdriving brakes on a mountain grade and losing stopping power.
- Speeding in a work zone, where fines often double.
- Coasting downhill in neutral instead of using engine braking.
- Entering a curve too fast and braking hard mid-curve.
Exam tip
When a question mentions a long downgrade, look for the answer about selecting a lower gear before the descent.