Which of the following roadways freeze first when wet?
- Bridges and overpasses ✓
- Intersections
- Tunnels
Answer: A. Bridges and overpasses
Bridges and overpasses are the roadways that freeze first when wet.
Why this is the answer
The California handbook warns that some road surfaces are more slippery when wet. It says bridges and overpasses usually freeze sooner than the surrounding roadway and can have icy spots. That is why you should slow down and allow more space in cold, wet conditions. The passage also mentions shaded areas can freeze first, but among the choices given, bridges and overpasses are the ones named for freezing ahead of the rest of the road.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Intersections — The passages do not name intersections as freezing first; they discuss slippery roads and slowing at the first sign of rain, but not that intersections freeze ahead of other roadways.
- C. Tunnels — The passages do not list tunnels as freezing first; the freezing-first roadway they name is bridges and overpasses.
Remember it
On a cold wet day, treat every bridge and overpass as a possible icy patch, even when the road before it looks clear.
Official handbook: California Driver Handbook (DL 600), Section 8: Safe Driving, p. 61