1. Chapter 12
Freeway Driving

2. 12-1 The Freeway Driving Environment
Freeways
Divided roadways with at least two lanes going in the same direction
Built to maximize safety at higher speeds
Lanes & shoulders are wider
Signs & bridge supports are clear of the roadway
Less time to react to an emergency situation
Typically more crowded than an open highway
Escape routes are limited

3. Interchanges
Used to allow traffic to enter, exit, or cross a freeway without interrupting the normal flow of traffic
Types of Interchanges:
Cloverleaf
Diamond
Trumpet
Directional

4. Types of Interchanges Cloverleaf Interchange
Two freeways intersect, with ramps allowing drivers to move from one to the other without having to stop or turn

5. Types of Interchanges Diamond Interchange
A freeway intersects a highway with less traffic
Drivers must stop or yield before turning left or merging right into cross traffic

6. Types of Interchanges Trumpet Interchange
A freeway and highway form a “T”
Drivers exiting the freeway merge on the highway after one direction of traffic crosses over or under the freeway

7. Types of Interchanges Directional Interchange
Several freeways and/or highways meet
Traffic is channeled in various directions through a complicated series of elevated ramps

8. Scanning for Danger Scan ahead
Pay attention to signs, signals, roadway markings
Increase following distance
Identify hazards before you get to them
Be on the lookout for speedsters, constant lane changers, tailgaters, etc.

9. Choosing a Lane Depends on the volume and speed of traffic
Usually the center lanes are for through traffic
Left lane is for faster than normal traffic and for vehicles passing slower traffic
Right lane is for slower traffic or traffic preparing to exit
Avoid driving in this lane – cars are trying to merge

10. Changing Lanes Must be patient and cautious
So many lanes and so many cars
Drivers competing for the same space
Openings in traffic can appear and disappear in seconds
Only change one lane at a time
Accidents can and will happen

11. 12-2 Entering Freeways Three major parts of freeway entrance: On-Ramps
May go up or down to the freeway
Never back up on an on ramp
Scan for a gap from the on ramp to prepare to merge
Acceleration Lane
A temporary lane that allows you to match speeds of the freeway before entering
Merging Area
Space where the acceleration lane merges with the freeway
Make speed adjustments and steer gradually into the through lane
Always merge into the first lane of the freeway

12. 12-3 Exiting Freeways Smoother than entering More time to prepare
Deceleration Lanes
Allow drivers exiting the freeway to adjust to slower speed conditions
Don’t slow down to enter
That’s what the lane itself is for
Off-Ramps
Speed limits will be posted
Will be short and have sharp curves

13. 12-4 Other Dangers of Freeway Driving
“Weave” Lanes
One of the most dangerous situations facing freeway drivers
Sharing acceleration and deceleration lanes
Occurs when an off-ramp is placed immediately after an on-ramp
Vehicles share right-of-way
Actively scan and communicate with other drivers
SPACE CUSHION

14. 12-4 Other Dangers on the Freeway
Double-Merge Lanes
Separate lanes that stay separate throughout the entire merge
Entering the freeway
From the inner lane
Find and appropriate merging space with the through traffic
Watch out for vehicles from the outer lane
Exiting the freeway
Not as problematic, but be ready for drivers to make erratic changes
May get stuck on the inner lane and cut across to exit

16. 12-4 Other Dangers on the Freeway
Express Lanes
Special reversible lanes that go into and out of cities
Make sure you know the direction of travel for that time of day

17. 12-4 Other Dangers on the Freeway
Rush-Hour Traffic
Freeways are designed for high-speed driving, but not the case with Rush-Hour
Attempts to alleviate the problem
Road construction
Tollways
Commuter lanes
Carpool lanes
Metered on-ramps
Public transportation
Can and will be frustrating and dangerous
If traffic is stopped in one lane and not the other
Cars will move in and out of lanes
Traveling at high and low speeds
Don’t use the median or shoulder

18. 12-4 Other Dangers on the Freeway
Tollways
Also called turnpikes, toll expressways, or toll roads
Can be connected to freeways and provide alternate routes
Signs will be posted telling you which lane to get into
Pay the toll at a toll booth
Usually located at exits or entrances to tollways
Three types of tollbooths
Scan
Machine-operated
Attendant operated
Approach with caution and allow plenty of time
It helps to have exact change ready. If you don’t, people will get irritated