Hills, curves, snow, ice and mountain roads

Key points

1. If you cannot see over a hill, slow down until you crest it and can see the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “If you cannot see over the top of a hill, slow down to an appropriate speed until you crest the hill and regain sight of the roadway.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 16

2. Always slow down before a curve. Going too fast means your tires cannot grip and you will skid.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Always slow down before entering a curve. If you go through a curve too fast, your tires will not be able to grip the road and your vehicle will skid.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 16

3. Overpasses, bridges and shaded areas can be icy even when other pavement is not.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Overpasses, bridges, shaded areas and snow packed portions of the road can be icy even when other pavement is not.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 17

4. If you lose traction, take your feet off both the brake and gas, then turn the wheels where you want to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “If you lose traction take your foot off both the brake and the accelerator pedal and then turn the front wheels in the direction you want the car to go.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 17

5. Four wheel drive gives more traction but cannot stop any sooner than a regular car.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Vehicles with 4-wheel drive have increased traction, but they cannot stop any sooner than a conventional car.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 17

6. With anti lock brakes in a skid, let up on the gas, push the brake and steer where you want to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “If you have anti-lock brakes: If you begin to skid, let up on the accelerator and push on the brake, then turn the front wheels in the direction you want the car to go.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 17

7. Shift to lower gears to control speed going down steep hills or mountains.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Shift to lower gears to control speeds when driving down steep hills or mountains.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 17

8. Vehicles going uphill have the right of way over vehicles going downhill.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Remember, vehicles going uphill have the right-of-way over vehicles going downhill.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 17

9. Rural highways have the highest fatality rate per mile driven of any roads in the U.S.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Rural highways are the most dangerous roads and have the highest fatality rate per mile driven of any roads in the U.S.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 17

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Colorado practice test

1. 1. If a vehicle loses traction on snow or ice, what should the driver do first?

   1. Press the accelerator firmly to regain grip
   2. Remove both feet from the brake and accelerator pedals
   3. Lock the wheels with maximum braking pressure
   4. Turn the front wheels away from the desired path
   Show answer

   Remove both feet from the brake and accelerator pedals. Snow and ice reduce tire grip, so continued pressure on either pedal can make the loss of control worse. Colorado's guidance is to take your foot off both the brake and accelerator, then turn the front wheels in the direction you want the car to go. Heavy acceleration can spin the tires, and locked wheels cannot guide the vehicle effectively. Steering away from the intended path compounds the drift. The useful cue is gentle hands and no pedal input while the tires regain contact, followed by smooth steering rather than a sudden correction.

2. 2. If a vehicle with ABS begins to skid, what should the driver do?

   1. Let up on the accelerator, press the brake, and steer where the car should go
   2. Pump the brake rapidly and steer opposite the intended path
   3. Release the steering wheel and wait for the vehicle to stop
   4. Apply the parking brake and turn the wheel fully
   Show answer

   Let up on the accelerator, press the brake, and steer where the car should go. For a skid in a vehicle with anti-lock brakes, Colorado advises easing off the accelerator, pressing the brake, and turning the front wheels in the direction you want the car to go. The goal is controlled braking with steering, not a panic maneuver. Pumping the brake is not the handbook procedure for ABS, and abandoning the wheel or applying the parking brake can remove useful control. Keep inputs measured and look toward the path you need to follow.

3. 3. What is the safest timing for slowing before a curve on a Colorado roadway?

   1. Brake sharply after leaving the curve
   2. Wait until the vehicle reaches the middle of the curve
   3. Accelerate before the curve so the tires grip harder
   4. Slow before entering the curve
   Show answer

   Slow before entering the curve. The handbook says to reduce speed before entering a curve because the tires need available grip to guide the vehicle. Entering too fast can cause a skid, especially on a wet, icy, or unfamiliar roadway. The manual places acceleration after the vehicle reaches the middle of the curve, so accelerating before the turn is not the safe sequence. Waiting until the vehicle is already deep in the bend makes a sudden correction more likely. Look through the curve, set a manageable speed early, and steer smoothly.

Source: the Colorado Driver Handbook, Hills, Snow and Ice, Mountain and Rural Driving. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.