Question 3794
Rain on the roadway is most dangerous when...
- there are puddles on the roadway.
- the first drops are falling.
- it has already been raining for a long time.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: the first drops are falling.
Rain is most dangerous when it first starts, especially after a dry spell. The water mixes with dust, oil, grease, and rubber residue on the asphalt, forming a thin, very slippery sludge. If it keeps raining, the water washes this dirt into the roadside ditches and the road surface provides somewhat better grip, though never as much as when dry.