Night, winter, deer and work zones

Key points

1. Deer are the second most commonly struck object in South Dakota.

   Source: Handbook p. 50

   “In fact, deer are the second most commonly struck object in South Dakota, with intersection crashes topping the list and lane departures coming in third.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 50

2. Be especially alert for deer in October and November.

   Source: Handbook p. 50

   “Be especially alert for deer in October and November, the months with the highest number of car/deer crashes.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 50

3. If you see eyes reflecting beside the road, slow down, blow the horn and be ready to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 50

   “If you see such a reflection on the side of the road, slow down. Blow the horn and be ready to stop.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 50

4. Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “Dim the high beams whenever you come within 500 feet (about a one block distance) of an oncoming vehicle.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 55

5. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “High beams let you see twice as far as low beams.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 55

6. On roads posted 35 mph or more, stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow with red or amber lights on.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “On roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or more, the law requires drivers to stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow when its red or amber lights are on.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 67

7. Never use cruise control on slippery roads.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Never use cruise control on slippery roads.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 67

8. About 40,000 people a year are injured in work zone crashes.

   Source: Handbook p. 66

   “Approximately 40,000 people per year are injured as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 66

9. On a narrow or single lane bridge, the first driver to the bridge generally has the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Generally, the first driver to the bridge has the right-of-way.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 67

Numbers to know

3 questions from the South Dakota practice test

1. 1. In which months does the South Dakota manual say to be especially alert for deer?

   1. October and November
   2. June and July
   3. January and February
   4. March and April
   Show answer

   October and November. The manual singles out October and November as the months to be especially alert for deer, because those are the months with the highest number of car and deer crashes. Deer are the second most commonly struck object in the state. Deer are most active at dusk and dawn, so scan the roadsides then, slow down when you see eyes reflecting in your headlights, blow the horn, and be ready to stop. Always watch for more than one deer.

2. 2. According to the South Dakota manual, what is the second most commonly struck object in the state?

   1. Parked cars
   2. Utility poles
   3. Deer
   4. Bridge abutments
   Show answer

   Deer. Collisions between motor vehicles and deer keep increasing in number and severity, and the manual says deer are the second most commonly struck object in South Dakota, with intersection crashes topping the list and lane departures coming in third. Be especially alert for deer in October and November, and when headlights reflect in deer eyes beside the road, slow down, blow the horn and be ready to stop, and keep an eye out for a second animal, as the manual advises watching for more than one.

3. 3. How should a driver respond to deer eyes reflecting beside the road?

   1. Speed up before more deer reach the pavement
   2. Swerve toward the shoulder to scare the deer away
   3. Slow down, blow the horn, and be ready to stop
   4. Dim all lights and coast past silently
   Show answer

   Slow down, blow the horn, and be ready to stop. If headlights reflect in deer eyes beside the road, slow down, blow the horn, and prepare to stop. The manual also says to always watch for more than one deer, so one reflection can mean more animals nearby. Swerving toward the shoulder is wrong because it can send you off the road or into another hazard. Scan the roadside at dusk and dawn for reflecting eyes, and reduce speed early when you see them.

Source: the South Dakota Driver License Manual, Special Driving Situations. 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.