If you need to slow down while driving on a slippery road, the first thing you should do is:
Firmly apply your brakes.
Take your foot off the gas pedal.
Apply your parking brake.
Pump your brakes.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is Take your foot off the gas pedal.
When driving on a slippery road, the most important thing to do is to reduce your speed gradually without causing your tires to lose traction. Here’s why taking your foot off the gas pedal is the safest first step:
- Reducing Speed Gradually: Taking your foot off the gas pedal reduces engine power, which will slow down the vehicle without abruptly applying the brakes. Sudden braking on a slippery surface can cause your tires to lock up or skid, leading to a loss of control.
- Avoiding Loss of Traction: When roads are slippery due to rain, snow, or ice, the friction between your tires and the road surface is greatly reduced. Abrupt movements, such as braking too hard or accelerating too quickly, can cause the tires to lose grip, making it difficult to steer and increasing the risk of skidding.
- Controlling Skids: If you do begin to skid, the first step is to take your foot off both the gas and the brake. This helps to regain control of the vehicle. Braking or accelerating while skidding only makes it more difficult to recover.
- What to Do After Slowing Down: Once you’ve eased off the gas pedal and the vehicle is decelerating safely, you can gently apply the brakes if necessary. For more slippery conditions, like on ice, you may want to use a technique called “pumping” your brakes—applying short, gentle bursts of braking to help maintain control without locking up the wheels.
In summary, taking your foot off the gas pedal allows the car to slow down gradually, minimizing the risk of skidding or losing control. Always remain calm, and adjust your speed to match the conditions of the road.