Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes
or
superhighways) are the safest
of all roads.
But
they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving
is:
Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most
of
the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks
a
smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane
on
a
freeway
as
a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads
to
the
freeway. If
you
have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to
check traffic. Try to determine where
you
expect
to
blend with the flow. Try to merge.into the gap at close
to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are
on
the freeway, adjust
your
speed to the
posted limit
or
to
the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors.
Then
use
your turn signal.
Just before
you
leave
the
lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder
to
make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move
to
the proper
lane well in advance.
If
you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back
up.
Drive
on
to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
4-33
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