Night, rural, winter and wet weather driving

Key points

1. At night add at least a second of following distance, and at least 2 seconds on unfamiliar roads.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-1

   “Increase your following distance by at least a second at night. Add at least two seconds for night driving on unfamiliar roads.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-1

2. On gravel or dirt, slow down and increase your following distance.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-3

   “Slow down and increase your following distance as these surfaces may cause a skid when stopping your vehicle.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-3

3. At a single lane bridge, the first driver to reach it has the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-3

   “When crossing a single lane bridge the first driver to the bridge has right-of-way.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-3

4. About 30 seconds of idling is usually enough to warm the engine.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-4

   “Thirty seconds is usually enough time to allow your engine to idle.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-4

5. On snow or ice it takes 3 to 12 times as much distance to stop as on dry pavement.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-5

   “Remember that on snow or ice it takes three to twelve times as much distance to stop your car as it does on dry pavement.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-5

6. If stuck in winter, stay with your car; most deaths happen when people leave it.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-5

   “Stay with your car. Most deaths occur when people leave the car, get lost, and freeze to death.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-5

7. Hydroplaning may start at 30 to 40 mph, and tires may lose all contact with the road at 50 to 60 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-6

   “In most cars, hydroplaning may begin at speeds as low as 30 to 40 MPH and the severity increases with any increase in speed to a point that your tires may be totally riding on a film of water. In a bad rainstorm, the tires may lose all contact with the road at 50 to 60 MPH.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-6

8. As little as 6 inches of water can float some small cars, and 2 feet carries away most vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-7

   “As little as six inches of water can float some small cars. Two feet of water will carry away most vehicles.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-7

9. The fatal crash rate at night is nearly 3 times the daytime rate.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-7

   “The fatal accident rate for night driving is nearly three times greater than for daytime driving,”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-7

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. On a gravel rural road, which adjustment does the manual recommend?

   1. Drive on the shoulder to gain traction
   2. Keep highway speed and shorten the gap
   3. Brake sharply at every curve
   4. Slow down and increase following distance
   Show answer

   Slow down and increase following distance. Gravel and dirt provide less traction than a paved surface, so the manual calls for slower travel and more space behind the vehicle ahead. The larger gap gives the driver additional time to brake gently if the surface causes a skid. Maintaining highway speed or following closely reduces that margin, while sudden braking can make a loss of traction worse. Keep the vehicle centered in its lane, make smooth inputs, and treat loose pavement as a reason to reduce speed before a problem develops.

2. 2. On snow or ice, how does stopping distance compare with dry pavement?

   1. It can take three to twelve times as much distance
   2. It is always exactly the same
   3. It is cut in half because tires grip snow better
   4. It increases by only one vehicle length
   Show answer

   It can take three to twelve times as much distance. Snow and ice greatly reduce available traction, so Maine warns that stopping can take three to twelve times the dry-pavement distance. The exact increase depends on conditions, speed, tires, and braking, which is why the manual pairs the figure with a safe following distance. The equal, half-distance, and one-length choices underestimate the hazard. Slow down early and leave room before you need to brake.

3. 3. At what speeds may hydroplaning begin in most cars, according to the Maine handbook?

   1. Only above 70 mph
   2. As low as 30 to 40 mph
   3. Only above 55 mph
   4. Only above 100 mph
   Show answer

   As low as 30 to 40 mph. In most cars hydroplaning may begin at speeds as low as 30 to 40 mph, and the severity increases with speed until the tires may be totally riding on a film of water. Slow down when the road is wet, avoid puddles and standing water, keep tires properly inflated with good tread, and if you begin to hydroplane ease off the gas without braking.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 11: Special Driving Challenges. 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.