When is it obligatory to operate the vehicle speed retarders?
- When driving in a road section before which a “hairpin curve” sign is placed.
- When driving in a road section before which a “danger of sliding” sign is placed.
- Correct answer: When driving in a road section where a “dangerous descent” sign is placed.
- When driving in a road section before which a “sharp curve” sign is placed.
Why this is the answer
The correct answer in the official bank: When driving in a road section where a “dangerous descent” sign is placed.
A speed retarder is an auxiliary braking system on heavy vehicles that slows the vehicle without using the service brakes. On a dangerous descent, especially a long one, constant use of the ordinary brakes can overheat them until they lose effectiveness. That is why the retarder must be used on a road section marked with a dangerous descent sign. Curves and slippery roads mainly call for slowing down carefully in advance.