Georgia DDS Practice Test

Streets and highways are most slippery:

1. When they are clean and dry.

2. When it has been raining hard for several hours.

3. Just after it starts to rain.

4. During a heavy snow.

The correct answer is: Just after it starts to rain.

The correct answer highlights that streets and highways are most slippery just after it starts to rain. This is primarily due to the initial rain mixing with dust, oil, and debris that have accumulated on the roadway. When the rain first begins, it can create a slick surface as these substances rise to the top, reducing tire traction. This phenomenon makes the roads especially hazardous right after the onset of rain because drivers may not expect the sudden decrease in grip on the road. The other circumstances described, such as during a heavy snow or after prolonged rain, involve different dynamics that can lead to slippery conditions but typically do not present the same immediate risk as when the rain first begins. After several hours of rain, the contaminants may be washed away, making roads less slippery. Clean and dry roads, as well, would not create conditions for slippery surfaces.