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, run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm.

   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. By how much do studies say daytime low beam headlights reduce head-on collisions, according to the Vermont manual?

   1. By about 5 percent
   2. By 50 percent
   3. They have no measurable effect
   4. By more than 20 percent
   Show answer

   By more than 20 percent. Vermont's manual says studies have shown that driving with low beam headlights on during the daytime reduces the risk of head-on collisions by more than 20 percent. Daytime running lights and headlights help other drivers see your vehicle during daylight hours, but daytime running lights should not be confused with headlights. When snow, rain, and fog limit visibility you must turn your headlights on, and the best practice is to always drive with at least low beams on.

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 warning is about the moment freezing precipitation begins, not only extreme cold, daylight on bridges, or the time after plowing. Slow down at the first sign of freezing precipitation and increase following distance. Bridges, ramps, and overpasses are likely to freeze first, and slippery spots may remain even after road crews have cleared the highway.

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 failing to react in time to adjust the vehicle speed to road and traffic conditions, which may include snow, ice, rain, dirt or gravel, and wet leaves. Worn tires, other drivers, or mechanical failure are not the cause the manual names. To avoid skidding, drive slower on roads that may be slippery and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction. If a skid starts, do not hit the brakes, because that makes the skid worse, and steer in the direction you want the vehicle 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.