The road surface becomes very slippery when rain first starts to fall because:

Water tends to pool more at that time.
It rains harder during that time.
Your tires absorb more water at first.
Rain mixes with oils, dust and road film that cover the road's surface.
Explanation

When rain starts to fall, the road surface can become very slippery due to a combination of factors. Oils, dust, and road film that have accumulated on the road's surface mix with the rainwater, creating a slippery layer. This is especially pronounced during the first half hour of rainfall because the water doesn't immediately wash away the dust and road film. The mixture of oil, dirt, rubber dust, and water creates a slick surface that reduces tire traction and makes it harder to maintain control of the vehicle.

Answer Statistics

🟡 This question is moderately difficult25.1% of our users answer it incorrectly.

Other questions in the same category: Safe Driving on Slippery Roads
This question appears in the following DMV practice tests: