Slippery Roads, Hydroplaning and Curves

Key points

1. On a wet road, reduce your speed by about 10 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “On a wet road, you should reduce your speed by about 10 mph.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

2. On packed snow, cut your speed in half; on ice, slow to a crawl.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “On packed snow, you should cut your speed in half. Use snow tires or chains when the road has snow on it. On ice, you must slow to a crawl.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

3. Studded tires are permitted from November 15 through April 30.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Studded tires are permitted in Connecticut from November 15th through April 30th.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

4. Bridges can be icy even when other pavement is not.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “The pavement on bridges can be icy even when other pavement is not.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

5. Most tires have good traction on wet roads up to about 35 mph; faster, they can hydroplane.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “When it is raining or the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

6. If your tires lose traction, ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Ease your foot off the gas pedal. • Keep the steering wheel straight.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

7. Slow down before a curve so you do not have to brake in it.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Always slow down before you enter the curve so you do not have to brake in the curve.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

8. Slow down when driving on gravel or dirt.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “When driving on gravel or dirt, you must slow down.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Connecticut practice test

1. 1. During which period does the Connecticut manual allow studded tires?

   1. November 15 through April 30
   2. October 1 through February 28
   3. January 1 through March 1
   4. They are never allowed in Connecticut
   Show answer

   November 15 through April 30. Connecticut permits studded tires from November 15 through April 30. The manual also warns that these tires can damage roads, so they are not allowed in many areas or on certain roads. That second point means the calendar period is not a universal permission for every roadway. The October-to-February option ends too early, and the total-ban option ignores the stated seasonal allowance. Use both cues together: the dates establish when they may be permitted, while local or road-specific restrictions can still apply.

2. 2. How should speed change as a road becomes wet, packed with snow, and then icy?

   1. Keep the posted speed in all three conditions
   2. Increase speed to maintain tire momentum
   3. Slow only after the vehicle starts sliding
   4. Reduce speed about 10 mph on wet roads, halve it on packed snow, and crawl on ice
   Show answer

   Reduce speed about 10 mph on wet roads, halve it on packed snow, and crawl on ice. Connecticut gives progressively stronger speed guidance as traction declines. On a wet road, the manual says to reduce speed by about 10 mph. On packed snow, cut speed in half. On ice, slow to a crawl because driving there is very dangerous. Waiting for a slide means the correction comes too late, and the posted limit does not guarantee safe traction. Increasing speed makes stopping and steering harder. The cue is to respond to the surface immediately, starting with the first sign of rain, snow, or sleet.

3. 3. Why can higher speed make a wet roadway more dangerous?

   1. Only a completely bald tire can hydroplane
   2. Wet pavement always improves tire grip
   3. The vehicle's tires become wider in rain
   4. Higher speed can make tires ride up on water and lose traction
   Show answer

   Higher speed can make tires ride up on water and lose traction. On a wet road, most tires have good traction only up to about 35 mph. As speed increases, the tires can ride up on the water like water skis, which is hydroplaning. Heavy rain can remove all traction, and worn tires can lose it at lower speeds. Wet pavement does not improve grip, and a tire does not need to be completely bald to hydroplane. Ease off the accelerator and reduce speed before water buildup or rain leaves the tires unable to steer or stop normally.

Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual, Hazardous Conditions. 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.