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South Dakota driving lesson · Special Driving Situations

Rural road driving

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
Special Driving Situations
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
64

Rural highways bring hazards city drivers rarely see: loose gravel, narrow roads with ditches instead of shoulders, one-lane bridges, and intersections with no signs at all. Stay alert, watch for warning signs, and obey the speed limit.

Rural road hazards

Rural road hazards
HazardWhat to do
Gravel or dirt roadSlow down, add following distance; you may skid stopping
Narrow roadSlow down, center in lane, watch for oncoming lane-sharers
Narrow or single-lane bridgeTake turns; first driver there generally goes first
Open grating or steel bridgeSlow down, add following distance, grip wheel firmly
Reduced vision (blind corners)Slow down and be prepared to stop
Uncontrolled intersectionSlow down; be ready to stop for crossing traffic
Handbook p. 64 ↗

Know the rule

Traction can be reduced on gravel or dirt roads, and on open bridge gratings or steel bridges.

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Know the rule

Rural roads are generally narrower and may have ditches or drop-offs instead of shoulders.

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Know the rule

At a narrow or single-lane bridge, look for the warning signs and take turns crossing; generally, the first driver to the bridge has the right-of-way.

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Know the rule

Wooded areas, crops growing in fields, and steep hills can create blind corners that limit how far you can see.

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Know the rule

Some rural intersections have no yield or stop signs and can be very dangerous. Slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Put it into practice

You approach a single-lane bridge just as an oncoming pickup reaches the other end. Stop and let it cross; generally the first driver to the bridge has the right-of-way.

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.

On a rural road with a narrow, single-lane bridge, who generally has the right-of-way?
  1. The vehicle traveling downhill
  2. The larger vehicle
  3. The driver on the right
  4. The first driver to reach the bridge

Answer: The first driver to reach the bridge

At narrow or single-lane bridges, generally the first driver to reach the bridge has the right-of-way.

Handbook p. 64 ↗
What should you do when approaching an uncontrolled rural intersection with no stop or yield signs?
  1. Keep your speed; you have the right-of-way
  2. Slow down and be ready to stop
  3. Yield only to vehicles on your left
  4. Stop only if a vehicle is visible

Answer: Slow down and be ready to stop

At uncontrolled rural intersections, slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

Handbook p. 64 ↗
Why do open bridge gratings or steel bridges require extra caution?
  1. They are often closed in winter
  2. They sway in strong winds
  3. They can reduce tire traction
  4. They carry lower weight limits

Answer: They can reduce tire traction

Open bridge gratings or steel bridges can reduce traction, so reduce speed and maintain a firm grip on the wheel.

Handbook p. 64 ↗
Gravel and dirt roads give as much traction as pavement, so your normal following distance is enough.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Traction can be reduced on gravel or dirt roads; reduce your speed and increase the following distance.

Handbook p. 64 ↗
On rural roads, what visual hazard can wooded areas or tall crops create at blind corners?
  1. Glare from the setting sun
  2. Flashing farm equipment lights
  3. Areas of reduced vision
  4. Dust from gravel roads

Answer: Areas of reduced vision

Blind corners created by wooded areas or crops can limit how far you can see, so reduce speed and be ready to stop.

Handbook p. 64 ↗
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