New York DMV Permit Written TestRules of the Road and Traffic LawsMedium
You are driving on a street where you encounter a large puddle after heavy rainfall. What is the safest way to navigate through this puddle?
- AStop before the puddle and wait for it to evaporate.
- BSlow down, grip the steering wheel firmly, and drive through the puddle slowly.
- CDrive through it quickly to splash water away and maintain momentum.
- DSwerve around it into the next lane, even if it's occupied.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Slow down, grip the steering wheel firmly, and drive through the puddle slowly.
Driving through puddles quickly can cause hydroplaning, loss of control, or splash pedestrians. The safest approach is to slow down significantly, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, and drive through slowly. This reduces the risk of hydroplaning and allows you to better control the vehicle.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Waiting for evaporation is impractical and often unnecessary; safe navigation is the key.
- C. Driving quickly through water increases the risk of hydroplaning and can splash others.
- D. Swerwing into another lane, especially if occupied, is extremely dangerous and can cause a collision.
Driving Through Puddles
When encountering a large puddle, reduce speed, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, and drive through slowly to minimize the risk of hydroplaning and loss of control.
- Slow down significantly.
- Grip steering wheel firmly.
- Drive slowly through water.
- Avoid splashing pedestrians.
Memory trick: Puddle ahead? Slow and steady, don't dread.