Distraction, aggression, winter driving and skids

Key points

1. 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. 78

2. Drivers 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. 79

3. If 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. 79

4. Stop 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. 82

5. In 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. 82

6. With 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. 83

7. In 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. 83

8. If 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. 82

9. Remember 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

3 questions from the Minnesota practice test

1. 1. How should a driver respond when confronted by an aggressive driver?

   1. Brake repeatedly to punish the tailgater
   2. Challenge the driver so the conflict ends quickly
   3. Stay out of the way, avoid eye contact, and keep the situation from escalating
   4. 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. 2. When tires lose their grip and the vehicle begins to skid, which action is advised?

   1. Turn sharply toward the nearest curb
   2. Stay calm and avoid slamming the brakes
   3. Accelerate until the tires regain grip
   4. 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. 3. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, what should you do during hard braking?

   1. Pump the brake pedal rapidly
   2. Use only the emergency brake
   3. Press the brake pedal and continue steering
   4. Shift into reverse before braking
   Show answer

   Press the brake pedal and continue steering. Anti-lock brakes are designed to help you keep control while stopping. Press the brake pedal firmly and continue steering toward a safe path until the vehicle responds. Pumping the pedal is the wrong technique for ABS because it interrupts the system's braking action. The emergency brake is not a substitute for the foot brake, and selecting reverse can damage the vehicle or create another loss of control. If you are unsure whether the car has ABS, check the owner's manual before driving. Remember the cue: steady pressure plus steering, rather than repeated pumping, is the ABS response.

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.