What are two strategies to increase safety in all adverse driving conditions?

• A. Increase speed and reduce following distance
• B. Reduce speed and increase following distance
• C. Drive in the left lane and honk
• D. Turn on cruise control

Answer: (B)

When conditions are adverse, the most effective way to keep yourself safe is to control speed and create more room to react. Slowing down reduces the force of any impact and shortens the distance you need to stop on slick or limited-visibility roads. Increasing the following distance gives you a bigger buffer to observe hazards, react to sudden braking, and handle skids or hydroplaning without colliding with the vehicle in front. Together, these adjustments compensate for reduced traction and longer stopping distances.

Cruise control is risky in bad weather because it can prevent you from quickly adjusting speed in response to changing road conditions. Forcing yourself to stay in a specific lane or honking doesn’t address the underlying need for more control and space. Conversely, speeding up or following too closely dramatically increases stopping distance and crash risk in adverse conditions.