North Dakota · Handbook chapter 7 · 4 min read

Chapter 7: Driving skills and emergencies

North Dakota winter driving, studded tire dates, braking on ice and with ABS, staying with a stranded vehicle, snowplows, skid recovery for rear-, front- and four-wheel drive, rain, flooding, blowouts, running off the road, equipment failure, distracted driving and fatigue.

Why this chapter matters

North Dakota winters are long and hard. Knowing how to handle ice, blowing snow, skids and breakdowns, before they happen, can save your life. Remember: brakes work best just before the tires start to skid.

Winter driving

• Entering a road that is officially closed for hazardous conditions is illegal, with a $250 fine.
• Clear all ice from the windows and let the defroster warm up. Use washer fluid with antifreeze, but know it can freeze on the glass at high speed in extreme cold.
• Test your brakes gently at low speed to feel the traction.
• Slow down and double your following distance, even with snow tires or chains.
• Studded tires are allowed between October 15 and April 15.
• Passing trucks can throw up snow fog; slow down.
• Bridges and shaded spots ice up sooner and stay icy longer.

Braking on ice

• Drum brakes on all four wheels: pump the brakes.
• Disc brakes: slow, intermittent braking, fully on then fully off long enough for the wheels to roll.
• Anti-lock brakes (ABS): keep firm, continuous pressure. Pumping or easing off turns the system off and on.
• Slamming the brakes locks the wheels and causes a skid.

Stranded in a storm

Stay with your vehicle. Most deaths happen when people leave and get lost. Open a window slightly and run the engine and heater only for short periods to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Carry a winter survival kit with warm clothes, boots, a shovel and food.

Snowplows

Stay well back: plows stop, back up and throw sand. A plow may be in any lane or on the shoulder. Pass with great care, never drive into a whiteout, and do not assume a sanded road has good traction. Most winter crashes come from driving too fast for conditions.

Skids

Most skids come from going too fast on slippery roads.

• Rear-wheel drive: stay off the brake, ease off the gas and steer in the direction the rear of the car is sliding.
• Front-wheel drive: at moderate speed, accelerate slightly and steer where you want to go. If there is no room, shift to neutral or push in the clutch.
• Four-wheel drive: do not let it give you false confidence. At moderate speed, accelerate and steer into the skid; at high speed, shift to neutral or push in the clutch.

Rain and flooding

Pavement is most slippery just after rain starts, as water mixes with oil and dirt. Deeper water can cause hydroplaning.

• Six inches of water reaches the bottom of most cars and can cause stalling or loss of control.
• Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups.
• Never drive into a flooded road. Turn around, or go to higher ground and wait.

Blowouts and running off the road

• Blowout: a thumping sound is the warning. A front blowout pulls toward the flat side; a rear flat makes the car sway. Grip the wheel, steer straight, ease off the gas and do not brake until you have control. Pull onto the shoulder when nearly stopped.
• Off the pavement: do not swerve back. Grip the wheel, ease off the gas, slow down, check traffic behind, signal and steer gently back.

Equipment failure

• Headlights fail: try the parking lights and signals and leave the road once slowed.
• Wipers fail: slow down and look out the side window as you leave the road.
• Gas pedal sticks: push in the clutch or shift to neutral. Turning off the engine may cost you power steering and power brakes.
• Never turn the ignition to lock while moving.

Reading the road

Slow for ruts, holes and objects, and do not slam the brakes or steer hard. Slow down on loose gravel. If an oncoming car crosses into your lane, slow down, flash your headlights and move right; if needed, steer off to the right.

Distracted driving, posture and fatigue

• Texting (writing, reading or sending messages) while driving is illegal for everyone, with a $100 fine.
• Keep both hands on the wheel and use one foot for both pedals, so you do not ride the brake.
• Signs of fatigue include trouble keeping your eyes open, not remembering the last few miles, drifting over the line, missing signs and nodding off. The only cure is sleep.