The driver of any motor vehicle when traveling upon a downgrade may not coast with the gears or transmission in:
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is neutral.
When a motor vehicle is traveling down a downgrade, it is illegal for the driver to coast with the transmission or gears in neutral. This law is in place for safety reasons. When the vehicle is in neutral, the engine is disconnected from the wheels, meaning the driver loses control over the vehicle’s speed.
Coasting in neutral reduces the ability to control the vehicle in the event of an emergency. If the driver is not engaged with the engine, the vehicle’s braking system becomes the only means of controlling speed. Brakes alone may not always be sufficient, especially on steep downgrades, and could cause the vehicle to overheat or fail if overused.
Additionally, when the vehicle is in gear, the engine provides some level of resistance to the wheels, which is known as engine braking. This helps slow down the vehicle naturally without using the brakes excessively. When coasting in neutral, the engine cannot provide this resistance, leading to a greater reliance on the brakes.
Furthermore, coasting in neutral may make the vehicle harder to maneuver. In critical situations, the driver might not have enough time to react because they have less control over the vehicle’s speed and momentum. The ability to quickly shift into a lower gear for engine braking could be delayed or completely unavailable when the car is in neutral.
In summary, keeping the vehicle in gear while traveling on a downgrade ensures better control over the vehicle’s speed and maneuverability, helping to prevent accidents. It is important to always drive with the vehicle properly engaged in gear for optimal safety and control.