Rural road hazards — South Dakota Permit Test

On gravel or dirt roads traction can be reduced: reduce your speed, increase the following distance, and realize you may skid when trying to stop.

Loose gravel rolls under the tires like marbles, and a car stopping at paved-road distance slides on.

Traction can be reduced on gravel or dirt roads.

On narrow rural roads, which may have ditches or drop-offs instead of shoulders, reduce speed, center the vehicle in the lane, and watch for oncoming traffic that may share the lane.

A tire that drops off a narrow road's edge can pull the car into the ditch.

Reduce speed, center the vehicle in the lane, and watch for oncoming traffic that may attempt to share the lane.

At narrow and single-lane bridges, take turns crossing; generally, the first driver to the bridge has the right-of-way.

Two cars that both start onto a one-lane bridge meet head on in the middle with nowhere to go.

Generally, the first driver to the bridge has the right-of-way.

Open bridge gratings and steel bridges can reduce traction: reduce speed, increase following distance, and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.

Steel grating tugs the tires sideways, and a loose hand on the wheel lets the car wander.

Also, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel.

In areas of reduced vision, such as blind corners from woods, crops, or steep hills, always reduce speed and be prepared to stop.

Tall corn at a corner hides a tractor or car until it is right in front of you.

In areas with reduced vision always reduce speed and be prepared to stop.

When approaching an uncontrolled rural intersection, with no yield or stop signs, slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

With no sign on either road, both drivers may think they go first and meet in the middle.

When approaching an uncontrolled rural intersection, slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

At a single-lane bridge, who generally has the right-of-way?

The first driver to reach the bridge. Two cars that both start onto a one-lane bridge meet head on in the middle with nowhere to go. South Dakota Driver License Manual, p.67: “Generally, the first driver to the bridge has the right-of-way.”