35.7. When driving on deep snow on a dirt road, you should:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safe driving in difficult winter road conditions, when traction with the surface is unstable and braking distance and the risk of skidding increase significantly. Driving through deep snow on a dirt road requires the driver to act as smoothly as possible, follow a predictable trajectory, and use a mode that helps maintain control of the vehicle and avoids provoking wheel slip or getting stuck. These very skills are tested in the theoretical exam, as they directly affect road safety.
In essence, this question checks sections of the Traffic Rules related to choosing a safe speed and controlling the vehicle in specific situations (in particular, the requirements of paragraph 12.1), as well as the obligation to perform maneuvers safely and with regard to road conditions (paragraph 10.1) and to maintain distance (paragraph 13.1). The logic is simple: in loose or deep snow, rolling resistance is high, speed drops quickly, and any sudden change in traction or direction can cause the wheels to skid or "ground" the car on its underbody.
The correct approach in such conditions involves selecting a lower gear in advance and moving steadily without sharp turns or unnecessary stops: this provides stable traction, reduces the need for gear changes, and lowers the risk of losing grip. On the other hand, the option of constantly changing speed and gears "according to road conditions" may sound logical, but in practice, in deep snow, frequent gear changes and sudden changes in traction create moments when the vehicle is most likely to start slipping or abruptly lose momentum. For a student preparing for exam questions on the traffic rules, the key idea here is this: in snow, smoothness, stability, and advance planning of the driving mode win.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe driving speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the road situation, the characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, in order to be able to constantly control its movement and drive it safely.
Explanation: Deep snow on a dirt road drastically reduces traction and controllability, so driving should be such that constant control is maintained (this is achieved, in particular, by pre-selecting a lower gear and maintaining a steady pace without unnecessary acceleration/braking).
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, or making any change in direction, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Explanation: "Without sharp turns" follows from the obligation to change direction only when and in such a way that it remains safe on slippery/loose surfaces.
Clause 12.3
If a danger to traffic or an obstacle that the driver can objectively detect arises, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely maneuvering around the obstacle for other road users.
Explanation: On deep snow, danger (wheel spin, skidding, sudden drop in speed) arises easily, so the driver must drive in a way that does not provoke dangerous situations with abrupt actions; "without sudden stops" is consistent with the requirement to act so that stopping/maneuvering is safe.
Clause 13.1
Depending on the driving speed, road situation, characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, the driver must maintain a safe distance and a safe interval.
Explanation: In snow, the braking distance and risk of skidding increase, so for driving "without sudden stops" an increased safe distance is required.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "b")
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the road situation, respond appropriately to its changes, monitor the correct placement and securing of cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving this vehicle while on the road.
Explanation: In difficult conditions (deep snow), the driver must constantly assess the surface and drive as smoothly as possible to avoid losing control.
That is, the correct answer is "In a pre-selected lower gear, without sharp turns and stops," given that by definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver must choose a safe speed taking into account the road situation, constantly control the movement of the vehicle, and perform maneuvers/stopping only safely.
When driving through deep snow on a dirt road, wheel traction with the surface is unstable, and rolling resistance increases significantly. The vehicle quickly loses speed, the wheels are more prone to slipping, and any mistake in handling can result in skidding or getting stuck. Therefore, the main principle of safe driving in such conditions, according to the requirements of the Traffic Rules regarding the choice of safe speed and the driver's duty to control the movement of the vehicle, is to ensure a steady, predictable driving mode.
A pre-selected low gear is needed so that the engine operates in a traction mode without the need for frequent shifting. When you shift gears in snow, there is a brief moment of lost traction (or a sharp change in it), and at this moment the car can easily "sink" into the snow or start to slip. A low gear allows you to maintain stable revolutions and a steady supply of power to the wheels, which helps to "push through" the snow and maintain control without unnecessary jerks.
Sharp steering in deep snow is dangerous because the wheel, which already has limited traction, can lose directional stability. For example, during a sharp turn, the front wheels "cut" through the snowbank, and the car may go outside the turn or start to spin. A smooth trajectory and careful steering correspond to the general requirement of the Traffic Rules to drive the vehicle in a way that does not create danger and maintains controllability.
Stops in deep snow are also undesirable, because after stopping, the vehicle often lacks the traction needed to move off: the wheels begin to spin in place, creating a "pit," and the vehicle sits on its underbody. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a low but constant speed, avoid stopping unnecessarily, and perform all pedal actions smoothly to prevent slipping.
Thus, the correct answer is "In a pre-selected low gear, without sharp turns and stops," since this mode ensures even traction, reduces the risk of slipping and skidding, and helps maintain movement and control in deep snow.