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South Dakota driving lesson · Be in Shape to Drive

Emotions and health

A 3-minute lesson from the South 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
Be in Shape to Drive
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
19

Strong emotions and illness interfere with thinking, attention and processing information. If you're not in shape to drive, the safest move may be to let someone else drive.

Know the rule

You may not be able to drive well if you are overly worried, excited, afraid, angry or depressed.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Handling emotions:

  • Angry or excited: give yourself time to cool off; take a short walk and stay off the road
  • Worried or down: keep your mind on driving; some people find the radio helps
  • Impatient (road rage): allow extra time and leave a few minutes early
  • You always have the option of having somebody else drive
Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

Don't be impatient waiting for a train; driving around lowered gates or trying to beat the train can be fatal.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

Even little problems like a bad cold, stiff neck, cough or sore leg can affect driving. If you're not feeling well, let someone else drive.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Conditions that need care

Conditions that need care
ConditionWhat the handbook says
EpilepsyGenerally not dangerous if under medical control
Diabetes (insulin)Don't drive if an insulin reaction or blackout is possible
Heart conditionRisk of blackout, fainting or heart attack: don't drive
Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

An insulin reaction can follow skipping a meal or snack or taking the wrong amount of insulin. Consider having someone else drive while your doctor adjusts your dosage, and have your eyes checked for night blindness.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

If a doctor is treating you for a heart condition, ask whether it could affect your driving ability.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Put it into practice

You just had a heated argument and you're shaking with anger. Instead of jumping in the car, take a short walk and wait until you've calmed down, or ask someone else to drive.

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 does the handbook recommend if you are angry or excited before driving?
  1. Take a short drive to calm down
  2. Open the windows and drive slowly
  3. Drive on quiet back roads instead
  4. Give yourself time to cool off before driving

Answer: Give yourself time to cool off before driving

If angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off, and if necessary take a short walk before driving.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
What should a diabetic driver who takes insulin avoid doing?
  1. Driving more than 100 miles at once
  2. Driving after eating a large meal
  3. Driving during a possible insulin reaction
  4. Driving without a passenger in the car

Answer: Driving during a possible insulin reaction

Diabetics who take insulin should not drive when there is any chance of an insulin reaction, blackout, convulsion, or shock.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
According to the handbook, epilepsy is generally not dangerous for driving as long as what condition is met?
  1. The driver has a passenger present
  2. The driver takes no medication
  3. The driver avoids night driving entirely
  4. It is under medical control

Answer: It is under medical control

The handbook states epilepsy generally is not dangerous as long as it is under medical control.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
What does the handbook suggest doing about impatience or road rage before a trip?
  1. Allow extra time and leave a few minutes early
  2. Use the left lane to pass slow traffic
  3. Plan a route with higher speed limits
  4. Leave at the last minute to avoid waiting

Answer: Allow extra time and leave a few minutes early

Allowing extra time and leaving early helps prevent the impatience that leads to speeding or reckless behavior.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
If you are worried or upset, the handbook says you should never listen to the radio while driving.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

If you are worried, down, or upset, try to keep your mind on driving; the handbook notes some people find listening to the radio helps.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
What should someone being treated for a heart condition ask their doctor about?
  1. Whether to avoid interstate highways
  2. How many hours they may drive per day
  3. Whether it could affect their driving
  4. Whether they need a special license

Answer: Whether it could affect their driving

If being treated for a heart condition, ask your doctor if it could affect your driving ability.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
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