When approaching unsafe road surfaces, what should you do?

When approaching unsafe road surfaces, the best practice is to slow down and test your brakes. This response is essential to maintaining control of your vehicle and ensuring your safety. Slowing down allows you to better assess the condition of the road and reduces the risk of losing control, which can happen if you encounter a slippery or unstable surface at a high speed. Additionally, testing your brakes ensures that they are functioning properly under those potentially hazardous conditions, giving you more confidence in your ability to stop when needed.

Examining the other options highlights why they are not advisable. Speeding up to avoid unsafe surfaces can lead to an increase in danger, as it may cause loss of traction or control on the hazardous materials. Ignoring unsafe surfaces, even with careful riding, is risky because it leaves you vulnerable to sudden changes in road conditions that may require immediate attention or corrective action. Lastly, while looking for a detour might seem like a good solution, it is not always feasible depending on the situation. Detouring could put you in unfamiliar territory or lead to other complications. Hence, slowing down and testing brakes is a practical and prudent approach for handling unsafe road conditions.