1. Driving on Expressways
Chapter 11

2. Characteristics of Expressway Driving
Known as a Controlled-Access Highway
Vehicles enter & leave only at interchanges
Other Names:
Interstate highways, Freeways, Toll Roads
Turnpikes, Parkways & Beltways
Advantages
Low risk / High Speed Travel
Cross Traffic Eliminated
Median between opposing lanes
No pedestrians, bikes, slow moving vehicles
Wide shoulders make good escape paths
Signs well posted, in advance to warn drivers

3. Characteristics of Expressway Driving
Types of Interchanges
Cloverleaf – drivers proceed in either direction
Diamond Interchanges – Little traffic crosses a busy expressway – Left turns by exiting traffic can be made

4. Characteristics of Expressway Driving
Types of Interchanges – continued
Trumpet Interchange- side road forms a T- intersection with expressway
All Directions Interchange – complicated interchange with high volume traffic

5. Characteristics of Expressway Driving
Safe Driving Strategies
Collisions on Expressway more serious
Due to higher speeds
Travel about same speed as other vehicles
Too Fast – constantly passing
Too Slow – block flow of traffic
Prepare for trip
Travel plan – route plan, number and name of exits
Plan stops for fuel & food
Maintain your vehicle
Cooperate with other drivers
Don’t challenge other drivers – Road Rage!!!

6. Entering An Expressway
3 Parts see page 225
Entrance Ramp – give you time to evaluate zones & adjust to best speed
Acceleration Lane – give you time to accelerate to the speed of the traffic
Merging Area – place where vehicles blend into the flow of traffic
Steps to Entering
Make sure you use the correct entrance ramp
Look for Red & White WRONG WAY or DO NOT ENTER

7. Entering An Expressway
Steps to Entering – continued
Once on entrance ramp
check front & rear zones
Signal & use mirrors to look for openings
At the end of the ramp check your blind spot
Once on acceleration lane
Gradually increase speed
Continue to check mirrors & blind spots
Before entering merging area
Adjust speed to match flow of traffic
Position vehicle
Once on the expressway
Cancel your signal
Adjust to speed of traffic

8. Entrance Ramp Problems
Short entrance ramps, acceleration lanes and high dividing walls
If you make an error and enter the wrong entrance ramp – continue on to the next exit
NEVER back up on an entrance ramp or expressway
Some ramps have sharp curves (yellow advisory signs)
Adjust your speed
Entrance Ramp Signal Lights
Signal Lights help space traffic entering the expressway
You must wait for the green light before entering the expressway

9. Entrance Ramp Problems
Acceleration Ramp Problems
Large numbers of vehicles (trucks)
May limit acceleration to expressway speeds
You may need a longer gap to enter traffic
Make every effort to enter and expressway without stopping
If you must…
Flash brake lights
Pull to the shoulder at the end of the acceleration lane
Wait for a large safe gap

10. Driving On The Expressway
Apply the IPDE process
Higher speeds, multiple lanes & heavier traffic make this more difficult
Lane Choice
Generally, safer to drive in the right & pass in the left
Reserve the left & center lanes for passing & faster traffic
Heavy traffic or near entrance ramps use center lane
Signs, Signals & Roadway Markings
Know your destination, think ahead
Avoid making sudden last minute decisions
Express Lanes = few entrances & exits (make sure you know where your exit is)

11. Driving On The Expressway
Speed Limits
Most states post speed limits
Some have no maximum speed limits
Drive at the speed that is safe & prudent
Minimum Speed Limits
Driving too slow can be very dangerous
Minimum Speed Limit
Lowest speed limit under ideal conditions
Use the far right lane when traveling at or near minimum speed limit
Common Speed
Speed used by most drivers
Sometimes it is above the maximum speed limit
Avoid the temptation!

12. Driving On The Expressway
Wolf Packs – bunches of vehicles
Avoid – be a loner on the expressway
Traveling in a wolf pack …
all zones may be closed
More conflicts
Following
Use the 3 second rule
Increase to 4 seconds when…
Following a large vehicle
Following a motorcycle
Driving in bad weather
Being tailgated
Entering or exiting an expressway

13. Driving On The Expressway
Blind Spots
Check yours often
Avoid driving in another vehicles blind spot
Being Followed
Encourage tailgaters to pass you
Reduce speed gradually
Change lanes when safe to do so
Lane Changing
Avoid changing lanes too often ( No weaving)
Change lanes one at a time
On 3 lane road, be sure far lane isn’t moving into the same space
It’s Illegal to pass on the shoulder
Shoulders may be used for emergency vehicles

14. Driving On The Expressway
Passing & Being Passed
Passing on Expressway is usually safer than passing on a two lane road
Median separates you from oncoming traffic
Head on collisions are usually not a threat
Passing on the left is common
Passing on the right is legal if slower moving vehicle is in the left lane
If you are continually being passed on the right
Move to the right lane
If you are frequently being passed on both sides
Dangerous situation!
Blend into traffic

15. Exiting Expressways Plan your exit as early as possible
Most have a Deceleration Lane
Allows you to slow without blocking vehicles on expressway
Try not to decelerate until you are in this lane
Deceleration lane leads to the Exit Ramp
Identify the sign showing the ramp speed
Many ramps have sharp curves
If you miss an exit ramp, go on to the next
NEVER stop or back up

16. Exiting Expressways Steps in Exiting ½ mile before exit
Check zones
Signal
Do not reduce your speed until you are in the deceleration lane
Move to the deceleration lane
Cancel signal
Flash brake lights
Check rear zones and slow gradually
Identify Exit Ramp Speed
Check your own speed
Predict a stop or yield sign at the end of the ramp

17. Exiting Expressways Possible Exiting Problems
Crossing Paths – Yikes!!! (Larkin North / 80 & 55)
Same lane used as both entrance & exit ramps
Exiting traffic should merge behind entering traffic
Ramp Overflow
Traffic backed up from an exit ramp on to the expressway
Route 30 Christmas time
Rather than joining the overflow & risking a rear end collision pass the exit & use the next exit
Pulling off on the shoulder is unsafe & illegal
If you must exit flash your brakes, check rear zone, slow gradually
Short Deceleration Lanes – slow more quickly – check rear zone

18. Special Problems Highway Hypnosis – inattentive drowsy state
Occurs when traveling long distances
More than 100,000 collisions each year in US are caused by sleepiness
Velocitation – hours of driving fool you into thinking you are traveling slower than what you really are
Unconsciously you drive to fast
Especially hazardous when exiting the expressway
Drive at expressway speeds after exiting the interstate

19. Special Problems Expressway Driving Through Cities Disabled Vehicle
More exit & entrance ramps = more merging
Most cases drive in the center lane to avoid merging
Disabled Vehicle
Check rear zones, Signal & pull to shoulder
Turn on hazard flashers
Raise the hood & tie a white cloth to antenna or handle
Phone for help
Place emergency flares 500 feet from your vehicle
Get back in your vehicle & lock doors
Anyone that stops to assist you ask them to call for help
NEVER get in a stranger’s vehicle
NEVER stand in the expressway and direct traffic

20. Special Problems Tollbooths Pay a fee or toll for using the expressway
May use “rumble strips” to alert traffic
Green light above tollbooth means it is open
3 Types
Automatic – driver deposits coins
Attendant – for drivers without exact change
I-Pass or electronic devices