Michigan Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Practice Exam

What can a driver do to avoid the effects of wet brakes?

1. Apply brakes firmly without easing off

2. Gently apply brakes and cross water while pressing the brakes lightly

3. Accelerate to dry the brakes quickly

4. Stop and wait for the brakes to dry

The correct answer is: Gently apply brakes and cross water while pressing the brakes lightly

Gently applying the brakes while crossing water helps to maintain control of the vehicle and can assist in drying the brakes more effectively. This method allows for a gradual increase in friction, which helps to evaporate any water that may be on the brake components without completely overloading the system. It balances the need to maintain traction with the necessity of drying the brakes, preventing them from becoming less effective. Other options like applying brakes firmly or accelerating to dry the brakes quickly may lead to loss of control or could potentially worsen brake performance because they do not address the underlying issue of water on the brakes appropriately. Stopping and waiting could also be impractical in a driving situation where moving through the water is necessary to avoid accidents. Therefore, gently applying the brakes while moving helps to achieve better brake performance under wet conditions.