Driving on ExpresswaysChapter 11

Characteristics of Expressway Driving

Known as a Controlled-Access HighwayVehicles enter & leave only at interchanges

Other Names:Interstate highways, Freeways, Toll Roads

Turnpikes, Parkways & Beltways

AdvantagesLow 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 – continuedTrumpet Interchange- side road forms a T- intersection with expressway

All Directions Interchange – complicated interchange with high volume traffic

Characteristics of Expressway Driving

Safe Driving StrategiesCollisions on Expressway more serious

Due to higher speeds

Travel about same speed as other vehiclesToo Fast – constantly passing

Too Slow – block flow of traffic

Prepare for tripTravel plan – route plan, number and name of exits

Plan stops for fuel & food

Maintain your vehicle

Cooperate with other driversDon’t challenge other drivers – Road Rage!!!

Entering An Expressway

3 Parts see page 225Entrance 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 ExpresswaySteps 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 laneGradually increase speed

Continue to check mirrors & blind spots

Before entering merging areaAdjust speed to match flow of traffic

Position vehicle

Once on the expresswayCancel 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 LightsSignal Lights help space traffic entering the expressway

You must wait for the green light before entering the expressway

Entrance Ramp Problems

Acceleration Ramp ProblemsLarge 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 processHigher speeds, multiple lanes & heavier traffic make this more difficult

Lane ChoiceGenerally, 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 MarkingsKnow 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 LimitsMost states post speed limits

Some have no maximum speed limitsDrive at the speed that is safe & prudent

Minimum Speed LimitsDriving too slow can be very dangerous

Minimum Speed LimitLowest speed limit under ideal conditions

Use the far right lane when traveling at or near minimum speed limit

Common SpeedSpeed used by most drivers

Sometimes it is above the maximum speed limitAvoid the temptation!

Driving On The Expressway

Wolf Packs – bunches of vehiclesAvoid – be a loner on the expressway

Traveling in a wolf pack …all zones may be closed

More conflicts

FollowingUse 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 SpotsCheck yours often

Avoid driving in another vehicles blind spot

Being FollowedEncourage tailgaters to pass you

Reduce speed gradually

Change lanes when safe to do so

Lane ChangingAvoid 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 PassedPassing 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 commonPassing on the right is legal if slower moving vehicle is in the left lane

If you are continually being passed on the rightMove 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 LaneAllows you to slow without blocking vehicles on expressway

Try not to decelerate until you are in this lane

Deceleration lane leads to the Exit RampIdentify 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 ExpresswaysSteps in Exiting

½ mile before exitCheck 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 SpeedCheck your own speed

Predict a stop or yield sign at the end of the ramp

Exiting ExpresswaysPossible 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 OverflowTraffic 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 CitiesMore exit & entrance ramps = more merging

Most cases drive in the center lane to avoid merging

Disabled VehicleCheck 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

TollboothsPay a fee or toll for using the expressway

May use “rumble strips” to alert traffic

Green light above tollbooth means it is open

3 TypesAutomatic – driver deposits coins

Attendant – for drivers without exact change

I-Pass or electronic devices