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Slippery roadUnited States

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United States

28. Slippery road

A slippery road has reduced tyre grip and can make steering, braking and acceleration less effective. Roads may become slippery because of rain, ice, snow, mud, oil, loose material or other substances on the surface. Drivers should reduce speed, increase their following distance and avoid sudden steering, braking or acceleration. Extra caution is needed in bends, on bridges and wherever the road surface changes unexpectedly.

Slippery road
Slippery-road warning sign on eastbound Interstate 80 near Delaware Water Gap. (New Jersey, United States)
Wikimedia.org • Famartin • CC BY-SA
What makes a road slippery?

A road can become slippery because of rain, ice, snow, mud, oil, loose material or other substances that reduce tyre grip.

How should you drive on a slippery road?

Reduce speed, increase your following distance and use smooth steering, braking and acceleration. Sudden movements can cause the tyres to lose grip.

Why does braking distance increase on a slippery road?

Reduced tyre grip means the tyres cannot generate as much braking force, so the vehicle may need a longer distance to slow down or stop.

Can a road be slippery even when it looks dry?

Yes. Oil, dust, loose material or a thin layer of ice can reduce grip even when the road does not appear obviously wet or slippery.

Are bends more dangerous on slippery roads?

Yes. Turning requires tyre grip, so a slippery surface can make it easier for the vehicle to skid or leave its intended path, especially at higher speeds.

What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

Stay calm and avoid sudden braking or steering. Make smooth corrections and allow the tyres to regain grip. The correct response can depend on the vehicle and its safety systems.

1 United States 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Speed limit 5 Minimum speed 6 Advisory speed 7 Bike path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Tunnel 10 Bridge 11 Speed bump 12 Toll road 13 One-way traffic 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Road narrowing 22 Pedestrian crossing 23 Railway crossing 24 Mandatory direction 25 Turn prohibition 26 School area 27 Crossing animals 28 Slippery road 29 Rockfall 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Roadworks 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Pedestrian lights 42 Road markings 43 Bike box 44 Speed feedback 45 Driving licence 46 Traffic mirror 47 Emergency telephone 48 Cycling route 49 Parking 50 No parking 51 No stopping 52 Parallel parking 53 Park and ride 54 Kiss and ride 55 Disabled parking 56 Traffic management 57 Reversing 58 U-turn 59 Carpool 60 Detour 61 Uncontrolled crossroad 62 Ramp 63 Exit 64 Horse riding 65 Emergency exit 66 Runaway truck ramp 67 Oversize load 68 City limit 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Axle weight limit 72 Licence plate 73 Charging station 74 Flooding 75 Dip 76 Horse 77 Local traffic 78 Pedestrian 79 Cyclist 80 Motorcycle 81 Truck 82 Bus 83 Police 84 Ambulance 85 Police signals 86 Gravel road 87 Pothole 88 Median strip 89 Public property 90 Path 91 Particulates 92 Air pollution 93 Interchange 94 Rush hour 95 Filling station 96 Road code 97 Two-way traffic 98 Passing lane 99 Street gutter 100 Road debris ...