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.
Entering the Freeway
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.
If
traffic is light, you may have no problem. But
if
it is heavy,
find a gap as you move along the entering lane and time your approach. Try
to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn
signal, check your rearview mirrors as you move along, and glance over your
shoulder as often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Driving on
the
Freeway
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.
If
you are on a two-lane freeway, treat the right lane as the slow lane and the
left lane as the passing lane.
If
you are on a three-lane freeway, treat the
right lane as the slower-speed through lane, the middle lane as the
higher-speed through lane, and the left lane as the passing lane.
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