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North Dakota driving lesson · Emergencies & Winter Driving

Distraction, posture & fatigue

A 3-minute lesson from the North Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Emergencies & Winter Driving
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
10, 34, 35

Driving takes your full attention and both hands. Texting while driving is illegal for everyone, and drowsy driving is as dangerous as it sounds. If you're sleepy, the only safe cure is sleep.

Know the rule

No one may text while driving: composing, reading, or sending an electronic message.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

It's also illegal to lose control of your vehicle because of an activity that isn't needed to drive and that impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair, your ability to drive safely.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
$100

Fine for texting or distracted driving

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

Permit holders of any age and licensed drivers under 18 may not use electronic communication devices at all while driving, except in an emergency.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

Drive with both hands holding the steering wheel. You never know when evasive action may be needed.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

Use one foot for both the gas and brake pedals, so you don't ride the brakes and overheat them.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

Fatigue increases the chance of a crash. If you're sleepy, the only safe cure is to get some sleep.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Danger signs of fatigue:

  • Trouble focusing or keeping your eyes open
  • Can't recall the last few miles you drove
  • Feeling detached, as if watching the vehicle drive rather than driving it
  • Crossing the centerline or dropping off the edge of the pavement
  • Missing traffic signs or lights
  • Tailgating other vehicles more closely than you normally would
  • Forgetting to dim your headlights
  • Excessive yawning, or nodding off
Handbook p. 35 ↗

Put it into practice

An hour into a night drive, you can't remember the last few miles and you keep yawning. Those are danger signs of fatigue. Pull off somewhere safe and get some sleep, the only safe cure.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the fine for texting while driving in North Dakota?
  1. $250
  2. $50
  3. $500
  4. $100

Answer: $100

It is illegal to text while driving in North Dakota, carrying a $100 fine.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
What is a recommended way to operate the gas and brake pedals?
  1. Rest your left foot on the brake at all times
  2. Use one foot for both to avoid riding the brakes
  3. Use your left foot to brake in heavy traffic
  4. Use your left foot for the brake and right foot for the gas

Answer: Use one foot for both to avoid riding the brakes

Use one foot to operate both the gas and brake pedals to avoid riding the brakes, which can cause them to overheat.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
According to the handbook, what is the only safe cure for sleepiness while driving?
  1. Opening a window for fresh air
  2. Drinking a cup of coffee
  3. Turning up the radio
  4. Getting some sleep

Answer: Getting some sleep

Fatigue increases the chance of a crash; if you are sleepy, the only safe cure is to get some sleep.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
Which of these is a danger sign of driver fatigue?
  1. Checking your mirrors every 6-8 seconds
  2. Being unable to recall the last few miles
  3. Keeping a three-second following distance
  4. Dimming your lights for oncoming cars

Answer: Being unable to recall the last few miles

Inability to recall the last few miles driven is listed among the danger signs of fatigue.

Handbook p. 35 ↗
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