Key points
Driver distraction accounts for at least 25 percent of all crashes in Minnesota each year.
Source: Handbook p. 78
“Driver distraction or inattention is a leading factor in crashes in Minnesota, accounting for at least 25 percent of all crashes annually.”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 78Drivers under 18 with a permit or provisional license may not use a phone at all, except to call 911 in an emergency.
Source: Handbook p. 79
“Drivers under age 18 with an instruction permit or provisional license are prohibited from using a cell phone, whether handheld or hands-free, except to call 911 in an emergency.”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 79If confronted by an aggressive driver, stay out of their way, avoid eye contact and do not escalate.
Source: Handbook p. 79
“If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, do not challenge them. Stay out of their way, avoid eye contact and do not allow the situation to escalate.”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 79Stop at least once every 100 miles or every two hours on long drives.
Source: Handbook p. 82
“Stop as often as you need to at least once every 100 miles or every two hours.”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 82In a skid, do not slam on the brakes. Take your foot off the gas and brake until you can turn where you want.
Source: Handbook p. 82
“Do not overreact or slam on the brakes. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and brake until you can turn in the desired direction.”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 82With anti lock brakes, do not pump. Press the pedal and keep steering.
Source: Handbook p. 83
“If you have anti-lock brakes, do not pump them as you would regular brakes. Instead, press down on the brake pedal and continue to steer the vehicle until you regain control.”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 83In heavy rain, standard cars may begin to hydroplane at 35 mph.
Source: Handbook p. 83
“In heavy rain, standard cars may begin to hydroplane at 35 mph.”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 83If stranded in cold weather, run the engine about 10 minutes each hour to charge the battery and warm up.
Source: Handbook p. 82
“Running the engine for about 10 minutes each hour to charge the battery and warm the interior is recommended.”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 82Remember that 6 inches of water reaches the bottom of most cars, and 2 feet of moving water can carry most vehicles away.
Source: Handbook p. 85
“6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling. 2 feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles”
Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 85
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 25 percent | minimum share of Minnesota crashes involving distraction | Handbook p. 78 |
| 18, 911 | under this age, no phone use except a 911 emergency call | Handbook p. 79 |
| 100 miles or 2 hours | how often to stop on long drives | Handbook p. 82 |
| 35 mph | hydroplaning can start at this speed in heavy rain | Handbook p. 83 |
| 10 minutes each hour | how long to run the engine when stranded | Handbook p. 82 |
| 6 inches; 2 feet | water that reaches a car's floor; moving water that can sweep a vehicle away | Handbook p. 85 |
3 questions from the Minnesota practice test
1. How should a driver respond when confronted by an aggressive driver?
- Brake repeatedly to punish the tailgater
- Challenge the driver so the conflict ends quickly
- Stay out of the way, avoid eye contact, and keep the situation from escalating
- Follow the vehicle closely to report its behavior
Show answer
Stay out of the way, avoid eye contact, and keep the situation from escalating. Aggressive driving can involve following too closely, abrupt lane changes, threats, or other angry behavior. The safest response is nonconfrontational: stay out of the driver’s way, avoid eye contact, and do not allow the encounter to escalate. Challenging, retaliatory braking, or pursuing the vehicle turns another person’s poor decision into a shared hazard. Focus on creating separation and maintaining a predictable path. If the driver passes, let that happen rather than trying to establish control over the interaction.
2. When tires lose their grip and the vehicle begins to skid, which action is advised?
- Turn sharply toward the nearest curb
- Stay calm and avoid slamming the brakes
- Accelerate until the tires regain grip
- Lock the steering wheel and brake harder
Show answer
Stay calm and avoid slamming the brakes. A skid means the tires have lost their grip on the road surface. Stay calm, avoid a sudden steering reaction, and do not slam on the brakes. Take your foot off the accelerator and brake until you can turn in the direction you want. Accelerating adds force without restoring traction, and locking the wheel removes your ability to guide the vehicle. A sharp curb turn can create a second hazard. The useful cue is to reduce inputs first, then steer only as traction returns and the desired path is available.
3. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, what should you do during hard braking?
- Pump the brake pedal rapidly
- Use only the emergency brake
- Press the brake pedal and continue steering
- Shift into reverse before braking
Show answer
Press the brake pedal and continue steering. Anti-lock brakes are an electronic system that helps keep the vehicle under control while braking. The manual says not to pump them as you would regular brakes; instead, press down on the brake pedal and continue to steer the vehicle until you regain control. The emergency brake is not a substitute for that technique, and shifting into reverse is not part of it. If you are not sure whether your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, the manual says to read the owner's manual for specific instructions before you drive.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with safe driving questions from the free Minnesota practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 6: Driving conditions. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.