Which of the following is most likely to be slippery in cold weather after snow or rain?
- A hilly, open road
- A residential road
- A road in a shaded area ✓
Answer: C. A road in a shaded area
A road in a shaded area is most likely to be slippery in cold weather after snow or rain.
Why this is the answer
The California handbook says shade from trees or buildings can hide icy spots on cold, wet days, and those shaded areas freeze first and dry out last. That directly points to a shaded road as the place to expect ice or slick pavement after snow or rain. The handbook also lists bridges, overpasses, and the first rain as slippery situations, but for the choices given, shade is the specific match.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. A hilly, open road — An open hilly road is not the handbook’s listed slippery spot; it mentions downhill travel as increasing skid risk when conditions are already slippery, not that open hilly roads stay icy.
- B. A residential road — A residential road is not named as especially slippery; the handbook points to shade, bridges and overpasses, and the first rain, not the type of residential street.
Remember it
Picture shade as a cold pocket: pavement there freezes first and dries last.
Official handbook: California Driver Handbook (DL 600), Section 8: Safe Driving, p. 61