South Carolina Driver's Permit Practice Exam

What should you do if you feel like your tires have lost traction with the road during rain?

1. Accelerate slowly

2. Ease your foot off the gas pedal

3. Hit the brakes hard

4. Turn the steering wheel sharply

The correct answer is: Ease your foot off the gas pedal

When you feel like your tires have lost traction with the road during rainy conditions, the best course of action is to ease your foot off the gas pedal. This allows the weight of the vehicle to shift back onto the rear tires, which can help restore grip. Lifting your foot off the gas helps to prevent further destabilization and can enable the tires to regain traction more effectively. Maintaining control of the vehicle is crucial in this situation, and easing off the gas provides a smoother response compared to abrupt movements. It minimizes the risk of skidding or hydroplaning, which can occur if you are accelerating or applying the brakes sharply. In contrast, accelerating slowly may still lead to a loss of control if traction is already compromised. Hitting the brakes hard can cause the wheels to lock up, increasing the likelihood of losing control. Turning the steering wheel sharply can also lead to a loss of traction and make the situation worse. Therefore, easing off the gas pedal is the safest and most effective response to regain control under wet driving conditions.