MODULE 6

Objectives: Students will learn about using risk reducing strategies to manage multiple-lane roads at speeds up to 65 mph in complex risk environments

Topics Covered: —Characteristics of Expressway—Entering, exiting traffic, steering, establishing

speed and lane positions, and traveling on multiple-lane roadways

—Managing interchanges, merging, exiting from traffic flow, and selecting vehicle positions in expressway driving

Expressways Expressways include interstate highways, freeways,

turnpikes, toll roads, parkways, and beltways—high speed roadways—divided by a barrier/medium—limited access highways—Have no traffic lights and many signs are designed to

break away when hit by a vehicle—Have exits and entrances only at certain locations—Have two or more lanes going in one direction—Have no cross traffic—Have higher injury severity rates—Rumble strips are installed on the edge of roads to alert

drivers who drift off the road—Are designed so that traffic either entering or exiting has

separate lanes from fast moving traffic and for low-risk high speed driving

Diamond expressway (interchanges) allows a driver to reenter the expressway by moving across the intersection of the secondary road

A trumpet interchange allows for interchange of second two-way streets to a multiple lane roadway with minimal traffic mix

Cloverleaf interchange allows two expressways to cross with minimal disruption—When entering an expressway, motorist should try to enter at

the same speed as traffic already on the expressway —The maximum speed limit on rural expressways in North

Carolina is 65 mph Interstate signs shaped like a shield are red, white and blue

Expressways Types/Signs

HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes are marked with a diamond

The red X over a lane means that traveling in that lane is prohibited

An interstate route with even numbers travel east and west routes

An interstate route with odd numbers travel north and south routes

The far right lane should be used for slower traffic; the far left lane should be used for faster traffic

Never go in reverse when you are driving on an expressway

Expressways Signs

Alternate routes that travel around the city begin with even numbers

A solid yellow line on any roadway should be on the drivers left side

The correct procedures for entering an expressway is to read ramp signs, search ahead and behind for gaps in traffic, adjust speed, merge and blend with traffic

Motorist should try to enter an expressway at the same speed as traffic already on the expressway— If a driver mistakenly enters the wrong entrance ramp and

is headed in the wrong destination -- continue on in that direction until you come to the next exit

—The most dangerous mistake to make when entering an expressway is entering the exit ramp

Expressway Entering

At expressway speeds, you should maintain a following distance of at least 3-4 seconds— Peripheral vision is affected by the speed of the vehicle

The correct procedures for changing lanes is check traffic ahead, behind, beside, signal, select gap, check blind spots, adjust speed, steer smoothly into lane, and cancel signal

A driver should increase their following distance on an expressway when

— Weather conditions are bad— Following large trucks— Being tailgated

Driving with the flow of traffic is the best way to maintain a space cushion around your vehicle

Expressway Speeds

Passing on an expressway includes special challenges for the novice driver which are— Higher speeds— Passing on the right and left— Vehicles and drivers on both sides moving into the same

lanes When exiting an expressway, it is important to

—Plan your exit in advance—Signal any changes in position—Move to the lane nearest the deceleration—this lane

allows the driver exiting the time and space needed to adjust vehicle speed

The best way to be prepared for a blocked lane is to allow for an escape route to one side of your vehicle

Expressway Passing and Exiting

When driving in large cities, traffic may stop abruptly—drivers must be attentive and prepared

A driver should increase their following distance when sleepy, being tailgated, and following an SUV—A dulled, drowsy, trance-like condition while driving is

known as highway hypnosis If you miss an exit, you should continue on to the

next exit and turn around—never make a U-turn on expressways

Construction zones usually have slower speed limits even on expressways

Managing Interchanges