South Dakota · Handbook chapter 8 · 3 min read

Chapter 8: Seeing, space and communicating

Visual search, deer, speed management, stopping distance, the 4-second following distance, space to pass, headlights, the horn, signals and breakdowns in South Dakota.

Why this chapter matters

Most crashes come from not seeing a hazard in time or not leaving enough room. These habits are what the test means by safe driving.

Visual search

• Look 20 to 30 seconds ahead.
• At intersections, look left and right even if others face a red light or stop sign.
• If your view is blocked, edge forward slowly.
• Check mirrors before slowing, changing lanes or going down a long hill, and turn your head to check blind spots.

Deer

Deer are the second most commonly struck object in South Dakota. Watch hardest in October and November and at dusk and dawn. If you see eyes reflecting in your headlights, slow down, sound the horn and expect more than one deer.

Speed and stopping

• Slow down before a curve, not in it.
• Slow at the first sign of rain, snow or ice; slow down to avoid hydroplaning.
• Never drive through a flooded road.
• Perception and reaction each take about 3/4 to 1 second. Braking from 50 mph on dry pavement takes about 158 feet.

Following distance

Keep at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Leave more on slippery roads, behind motorcycles and bicycles, behind large vehicles, when towing, in darkness or bad weather, when being tailgated, behind emergency vehicles, near railroad crossings and when stopped on a hill.

If you are tailgated, move right if you can, or slowly reduce speed when passing is safe for the other driver. Never brake suddenly.

Space to the side and to pass

• Do not linger beside other vehicles. "Split the difference" between hazards and take them one at a time.
• When you must face two hazards together, give the most room to the worst danger.
• Passing at 55 mph takes about 10 seconds and more than 1,600 feet of clear road, about one-third of a mile. Do not start a pass within one-third of a mile of a hill or curve.
• Do not pass at intersections, railroad crossings or shopping center entrances. Return to your lane when you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your mirror.

Being seen

• Turn on headlights whenever you use your wipers, as it gets dark and when driving away from a low sun.
• High beams let you see about twice as far. Dim them within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or when following within 500 feet. Use low beams in fog, rain and snow.
• Use a light tap of the horn as a routine warning and a sharp blast only in danger. Do not honk at blind pedestrians or animals, to hurry people or to greet friends.
• Stay out of other drivers' blind spots.

Signaling

• Signal at least 100 feet before a turn, but not before an earlier driveway where others might misread you.
• Tap your brakes 3 or 4 times before slowing where others will not expect it.
• Hand signals use the left arm: straight out for left, up for right, down for stop or slow.

Breakdowns

Get off the road, turn on your flashers, place flares 200 to 300 feet behind the car, raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the antenna or door, and stay out of the road.