Driving on Expressways Chapter 11

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

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

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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)

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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 (Mall) @ 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

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

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

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