Alberta Class 7 License Practice Test

What action can increase the risk of skidding when off the roadway?

1. Turning the steering wheel

2. Accelerating too quickly

3. Applying the brakes

4. Both B and C

The correct answer is: Both B and C

Accelerating too quickly or applying the brakes can both dramatically increase the risk of skidding, especially when a vehicle is off the roadway. When accelerating abruptly on slippery surfaces such as gravel, mud, or wet grass, the tires can lose traction, leading to a loss of control. This forceful acceleration overwhelms the tires' grip, causing them to spin and lose contact with the ground, which can lead to skidding. Similarly, applying the brakes suddenly can also initiate skidding. When brakes are applied hard on a slippery surface, the wheels may lock up if the vehicle is not equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), which can lead to a slide. Even with ABS, sudden braking can still result in loss of control if the vehicle encounters a slick surface. This understanding highlights why both accelerating quickly and hard braking should be avoided when off the roadway to minimize the risk of skidding and maintain better control over the vehicle.