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South Dakota driving lesson · Be in Shape to Drive

Vision, hearing and fatigue

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
15, 16

Driving safely starts with your body: seeing clearly, hearing warnings, and being rested. Problems with eyesight or hearing can come on so slowly that you don't notice them.

20/40

Needed with both eyes for a license without restrictions, and no worse than 20/50 in either eye

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Other important parts of vision:

  • Side vision: seeing out of the corner of your eye; use mirrors and glance to the side
  • Judging distances and speeds: takes practice; key for merging, passing and crossing tracks
  • Night vision: many who see well by day struggle at night, especially with glare
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

If you have trouble seeing at night, don't drive more than necessary and be very careful when you do. Have your eyes checked regularly by an eye doctor.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

If you must wear corrective lenses:

  • Always wear them while driving; you could get a ticket if stopped without them
  • Avoid dark or tinted corrective lenses at night
  • Keep an extra pair of glasses in your vehicle
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Drivers with hearing problems can adjust by relying more on vision; studies show their driving records are just as good as those of drivers with good hearing.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Fatigue

Physical or mental tiredness caused by physical or mental strain, repetitive tasks, illness, or lack of sleep. It can affect vision and increase the time to make decisions.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Before a trip:

  • Get adequate sleep: most people need 7 to 9 hours
  • Plan to stop about every 100 miles or 2 hours
  • Arrange for a travel companion to watch your driving
  • Check medication labels for drowsiness warnings
  • Do not use alcohol or drugs when driving
Handbook p. 15 ↗

If you start feeling tired:

  • Pull off at the next exit or rest area for a 15 to 20-minute nap, or find a place to sleep
  • Try consuming caffeine before a short nap to get the benefits of both
  • Try not to drive late at night
  • Best prevention: get plenty of rest
Handbook p. 16 ↗

Put it into practice

Ninety minutes into a drive, your eyelids feel heavy. Don't push on with the radio loud. Take the next exit or rest area and nap for 15 to 20 minutes; having some caffeine first gives you the benefit of both.

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.

To qualify for a South Dakota license without vision restrictions, what must you score on the vision test?
  1. 20/40 with both eyes, no worse than 20/50
  2. 20/50 or better in one eye only
  3. 20/70 or better with both eyes
  4. 20/20 in the stronger eye only

Answer: 20/40 with both eyes, no worse than 20/50

An unrestricted license requires 20/40 or better with both eyes, with neither eye worse than 20/50.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
What should you do if your driver license requires corrective lenses?
  1. Wear them only on highways
  2. Wear them only at night
  3. Wear them only if pulled over
  4. Always wear them while driving

Answer: Always wear them while driving

If your license says you must wear corrective lenses, you must always wear them while driving.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
According to the handbook, how much sleep do most people need to maintain proper alertness while driving?
  1. 5 to 6 hours
  2. 10 to 12 hours
  3. 7 to 9 hours
  4. 4 to 5 hours

Answer: 7 to 9 hours

Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep to maintain proper alertness during the day.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
On a long trip, about how often should you plan to stop to help avoid fatigue?
  1. Every 300 miles or 5 hours
  2. Every 100 miles or 2 hours
  3. Every 50 miles or 30 minutes
  4. Only when you feel sleepy

Answer: Every 100 miles or 2 hours

The handbook recommends planning to stop about every 100 miles or 2 hours on a trip.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
If you start feeling tired while driving, what is the recommended fix?
  1. Open a window and keep driving
  2. Turn up the air conditioning
  3. Pull off and take a 15 to 20-minute nap
  4. Drink coffee and keep driving without stopping

Answer: Pull off and take a 15 to 20-minute nap

The handbook recommends pulling off at the next exit or rest area for a 15 to 20-minute nap when you start feeling tired.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
Studies show hearing-impaired drivers have worse driving records than drivers with good hearing.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Studies show the driving records of hearing-impaired drivers are just as good as those of drivers with good hearing.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
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