Question

You are exiting a highway using an offramp that curves downhill and you are driving a heavy vehicle. You should:

a) do nothing because the posted speed limit for the offramp is usually 10 miles per hour below the safe speed limit for the offramp.
b) Slow to a safe speed before the curve
c) Downshift after you are in the curve
d) Speed up to maintain momentum

Answer 1

When driving a heavy vehicle on an offramp that curves downhill, one should slow to a safe speed before entering the curve. Ideal speed and coefficient of friction are critical concepts for safely navigating such conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When exiting a highway using an offramp that curves downhill and driving a heavy vehicle, the safest action to take is b) Slow to a safe speed before the curve. This precaution is necessary because the combination of the curve, the downhill gradient, and the vehicle's weight can significantly affect the vehicle's handling and stopping distance.

The ideal speed is the maximum safe speed at which a vehicle can navigate a curve without relying solely on friction; however, this ideal speed may still be too fast for heavy vehicles on a downhill curve. In real-world driving, such as on icy mountain roads, maintaining control toward the inside of the curve is crucial for safety.

Additionally, understanding the role of the coefficient of friction between tires and roadway is important for determining safe driving speeds under various conditions.

Therefore the correct option is b) Slow to a safe speed before the curve.