Safe Driving Practices Flashcards

When driving at night in South Dakota, when should you dim your high beams?

Answer: When within 500 feet of oncoming traffic or 300 feet when following another vehicle

Dim high beams when approaching oncoming traffic or following another vehicle to prevent blinding other drivers and reducing visibility.

What should you do if you miss your exit on a South Dakota highway?

Answer: Continue to the next exit and safely turn around

Never stop, back up, or make a U-turn on a highway. Continue to the next exit and use it to safely return to your intended route.

In South Dakota, what is the proper way to share the road with large trucks?

Answer: Avoid blind spots, give extra following distance, and do not cut in front after passing

Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides, need more stopping distance, and make wide turns. Stay visible and give them extra room.

What should you do if your brakes fail while driving in South Dakota?

Answer: Shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes, use the parking brake, and look for a safe area

If brakes fail, try pumping them to build pressure, downshift for engine braking, gradually apply the parking brake, and steer toward a safe stopping area.

When merging onto a South Dakota highway, what is the correct technique?

Answer: Use the acceleration lane to match highway speed, then merge smoothly

The acceleration lane is designed to let merging drivers reach the speed of highway traffic before smoothly entering the travel lanes.

In South Dakota, what is the safest action when approaching a curve?

Answer: Slow down before entering the curve, then maintain steady speed through it

Reduce speed before entering a curve. Braking in a curve can cause loss of traction, while accelerating may cause the vehicle to leave the road.