Floods, winter, skids and visibility

Key points

1. Nationally, flash floods kill more people than any other weather event.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “Nationally, flash floods are responsible for more deaths than any other weather event.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 46

2. As little as 4 inches of water can make it hard to walk and can hide hazards.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “As little as 4 inches of water can make it difficult to walk and can obstruct hazards from view.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 46

3. Black ice can form quickly, unseen, when sleet, freezing rain or snow starts to fall.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “When sleet, freezing rain or snow start to fall, black ice can quickly form and you may not be able to see it.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 47

4. If stranded in a blizzard, stay in the vehicle and run the engine about 10 minutes each hour.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 47

5. Most skids come from failing to adjust speed in time to road and traffic conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Most skids are caused by the driver's failure to react in time to adjust the vehicle's speed to road and traffic conditions.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 48

6. In a skid, do not hit the brakes; steer where you want to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Don’t hit the brakes, it will just make the skid worse. Steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 48

7. With anti lock brakes, keep steady pressure and do not pump.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes use steady brake pressure, do not pump the brakes!”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 48

8. Daytime low beams cut head on collision risk by more than 20%.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “Studies have shown that driving with low beam headlights on during the daytime reduces the risk of head-on collisions by more than 20%.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 49

9. If you cannot see people or vehicles 500 feet ahead, the law requires headlights.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “If you cannot clearly see persons or vehicles 500 feet ahead, the law requires drivers to have headlights turned on.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 46

10. To avoid being blinded by oncoming lights, look ahead toward the right edge of the road.

    Source: Handbook p. 49

    “you should look ahead towards the right edge of the”
    Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 49

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Vermont practice test

1. 1. If a vehicle begins to skid on a slippery Vermont road, what is the best initial response?

   1. Make a sudden steering change toward the shoulder
   2. Use cruise control to keep the wheels turning steadily
   3. Take your foot off the gas pedal to reduce speed and maintain control
   4. Brake hard immediately and lock the wheels
   Show answer

   Take your foot off the gas pedal to reduce speed and maintain control. The manual advises removing your foot from the gas pedal on a slippery road. That lowers speed without introducing a sudden change in direction and helps the vehicle remain under control. Cruise control is discouraged in conditions that can produce a skid. A sharp turn toward the shoulder can worsen the loss of control, while hard braking may lock the wheels. Use a smooth response first, then apply gentle, steady brake pressure only if more slowing is needed. Avoid abrupt inputs when rain, snow, ice, gravel, or wet leaves reduce grip.

2. 2. When does the Vermont manual warn that black ice can form quickly?

   1. Only below zero degrees
   2. When sleet, freezing rain or snow start to fall
   3. Only on bridges in daylight
   4. Only after the road has been plowed
   Show answer

   When sleet, freezing rain or snow start to fall. When sleet, freezing rain or snow start to fall, black ice can quickly form and you may not be able to see it. The road looks merely wet while the surface is frozen. Slow down at the first sign of freezing precipitation, increase following distance, and avoid sudden steering or braking. Bridges and shaded spots freeze first, but black ice can appear anywhere.

3. 3. What does the Vermont manual say causes most skids?

   1. Worn tires alone
   2. Other drivers cutting in
   3. Sudden mechanical failure
   4. The driver's failure to react in time to adjust speed to road and traffic conditions
   Show answer

   The driver's failure to react in time to adjust speed to road and traffic conditions. Most skids are caused by the driver's failure to react in time to adjust the vehicle's speed to road and traffic conditions. Entering a curve or a slick patch too fast is the usual trigger, not equipment failure. Slow before curves, brake gently on ice, and if a skid starts, ease off the pedals and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Driving Safely and Studying for Your Permit. 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.