A well-maintained vehicle and good tires completely eliminate the risk of poor road conditions.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on weather
• D. Only when using winter tires

Answer: (B)

Even with a well-maintained vehicle and good tires, you can’t remove the risk posed by poor road conditions. Tires and maintenance improve traction, braking, and steering, which lowers the chance of a loss of control, but they don’t eliminate hazards like wet or icy surfaces, uneven pavement, potholes, debris, or sudden changes in weather. On slippery or degraded roads, the friction between tires and the road can still be insufficient for safe stopping or turning, and conditions can change faster than you can react. The best you can do is drive to the conditions, reduce speed, and allow extra stopping distance.