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A complete guide to safe driving on the highway
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Freeway driving is an essential part of learning to operate a car, driving on the highway can save you time and get you to places easier. Driving on the highway can be a little scary at first, but is simple once you understand everything.
This article is primarily written for left hand drive/right hand traffic. If driving in a country that uses right hand drive/left hand traffic, switch "left" and "right".
A Quick Guide to Highway Driving
Drive on the highway on a clear day at a time when it’s not crowded. Use a highway on-ramp to safely accelerate to the speed of traffic on the freeway. Turn on your signal and check your blind spot to change lanes. Slow down and use the center lane during inclement weather.
Steps
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Pick a highway and a time. It's best to start when you know the highway will not be crowded. Weekends and evenings are best. Pay attention to the traffic reports in your area. Make sure you know exactly where you're going and you don't have any place to go for a while. [1] X Research source -
Learn to operate the car at lower speeds first. Make sure you know all the laws and "rules of the road," including what different kinds of lanes look like and the local speed limits. [2] X Expert Source Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.- Practice on arterial roads before you practice on highways.
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Make sure your car's brakes, lights, turn signals, steering, transmission and all other parts are working safely. Get the car inspected and fixed if necessary. The freeway is the worst possible place for a breakdown. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Highway Traffic Safety Administration U.S. government agency responsible for writing and enforcing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Go to source -
Start on a day when the weather is clear and dry. Darkness and inclement weather make driving more difficult and should not be the beginner's first step. [4] X Expert Source Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor Expert Interview. 4 December 2019. -
Start driving, then head for the freeway on-ramp. Don't take the on-ramp too fast, but when you come off it you should be going close to the speed of freeway traffic (whatever that may be at the time). -
Use the on-ramp to accelerate up to highway speed. As you come up the on-ramp, use your turn signal, check your blind spot and mirrors, look forward again and merge onto the highway. You must watch for cars on the freeway and adjust your speed to enter the freeway safely. Although many people will change lanes to the left to give merging cars more room, it is not their responsibility to let you onto the freeway. Once you've safely merged onto the freeway, match your speed to the flow of traffic. [5] X Research source- If the on-ramp abruptly ends into the shoulder, and you are unable to merge, slow down and wait for a gap in traffic before you merge.
- If there are no vehicles on the highway, you should select a safe speed. Even if there is no speed limit posted or if there is no state, provincial, prefectural, or federal speed limit, it is always illegal to drive faster than the current road conditions permit. This is referred to as the "basic speed law" in many countries.
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Practice changing lanes as you cruise down the highway. Use your turn signal, mirrors, and glance at your blind spot every single time. Remember when driving on freeways that you should always stay in the furthest lane to the right unless you are passing a slower moving vehicle in front of you. You have probably seen signs which read, "KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS" or "SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT". If you see a vehicle coming up behind you and you are able to safely move to the right, you must. Change lanes toward the right to allow traffic to pass. It is not your job to enforce speed limits by obstructing traffic on the freeway. [6] X Research source- Driving slower than the average speed of traffic can be more dangerous than driving faster, which is why many highways have minimum speeds.
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Try passing other cars. Make sure to give them lots of room, and don't ever cut in front of anybody. Pass on the left of the highway, and use the right lane for normal driving. [7] X Research source -
Use exits to leave the highway. When you're ready to get off the highway, find an appropriate off-ramp and get in the correct lane, using the steps to change lanes. As soon as the off-ramp breaks away from the main highway, start slowing down, on the ramp there might be a speed limit sign for you to follow. [8] X Research source
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Use the center lane during and after a rain or snow storm. When there is a rain or snow storm, the right and left sides of the road may be flooded or packed with snow. Don't drive in the right or left most lane as you are most likely to skid in these lanes. [9] X Research source -
Drive slower during heavier traffic and inclement weather. During inclement weather it is a good idea to drive slower than the posted speed limit, even below the minimum speed. You can still be cited if you drive 55 miles per hour on a road where it is only safe to go 35 miles per hour or less. [10] X Trustworthy Source State of Oregon Official website for the State of Oregon Go to source -
Stay out of diamond lanes unless if you meet the requirements on the sign. Diamond lanes are used to mark bus lanes, HOV lanes, toll lanes, and more. If a police officer finds that you are driving in the HOV lane without a valid passenger count or driving in the toll lane without a valid transponder, you can be ticketed. [11] X Research source -
Know how to operate your headlights. You must operate your headlights while your windshield wipers are on and when prompted to do so by road sign. If your headlights are not on, you can get a ticket. [12] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I get over my fear of driving on the highway?Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.Just take it slow, obey the speed limits even if everyone else isn't, and stay in the right lane. Just keep your eyes on the road and maintain space around the drivers behind and in front of you. You'll get more confident over time!
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QuestionWhat's the safest lane to stay in?Community AnswerYou should always drive in the right lane except to pass.
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QuestionHow do I know when I'm ready for the highway?Community AnswerIt all depends on your confidence. You should make sure you feel completely confident and comfortable on back roads before attempting the highway.
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Tips
- Don't drink alcohol or caffeine before you start driving. [13] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source (In fact, in many places it is illegal to even have an open container of an alcoholic drink in the car.)Thanks
- Never, never change lanes without signaling and checking your blind spot first. [14] X Expert Source Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor Expert Interview. 4 December 2019. Otherwise you could change lanes right into another car you didn't know was there. A little round blind-spot mirror stuck to the lower inside corner of the side mirror (where it would otherwise just reflect your car) can help with this, but remember anything in them is much closer than it appears, and you should glance anyway.Thanks - Always wear your seat belt. No exceptions. If the car is moving, you'd better be buckled. [15] X Trustworthy Source National Highway Traffic Safety Administration U.S. government agency responsible for writing and enforcing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Go to sourceThanks
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Warnings
- If you have a learner's permit, be sure to check if your state's law allows you to drive on expressways while learning to drive. Some states may allow it, while others do not.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://afdc.energy.gov/conserve/behavior_techniques.html
- ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
- ↑ https://www.nhtsa.gov/summer-driving-tips
- ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
- ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/freeway-driving
- ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/navigating-the-roads/
- ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/navigating-the-roads/
- ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/navigating-the-roads/
- ↑ https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39d.pdf
- ↑ https://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/winter-driving.aspx
- ↑ https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/roads-bridges/hov-lanes
- ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/getting-ready-drive
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/impaired-driving/facts/
- ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
- ↑ https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
About This Article
Article Summary
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Driving on the highway for the first time might seem intimidating, but by learning how to get on and off the highway and practicing a few safety precautions, you’ll be doing it in no time! Start by choosing a time to practice when there’s less traffic, such as between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. so you don’t have to deal with busy roads. To enter the highway, drive down the entrance ramp, accelerating gradually so you get up to speed. Then, move over to the left so you’re in the right-hand lane. Make sure to avoid driving parallel to other vehicles, since this will put you in their blindspot, meaning the other driver can’t see you. You should also stay in the center or right-hand lanes when you're driving, since the left-hand lanes are only used for passing cars. Remember to leave around 4 to 6 seconds of distance between you and the car ahead so you have time to slow down if necessary. When you’re ready to leave the highway, turn on your right turn signal and move into the exit lane. For tips on how to pass cars on the highway, keep reading!
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"I have a teenage daughter learning to drive. I found it hard picking times and days that traffic would not overwhelm my new driver. This article gave me simple ways to explain and prepare my daughter for conquering the highway! I was thrilled to find an article to help me with daughter, and just as thrilled to have gained information for myself as well, thank you!"
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"I am a new driver for a month now, but am still hesitating to go on a highway yet. The article gave me some tips to take a step forward. The most important is that now I know that I need someone to be with me while starting to drive on a highway."
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"Instructions were precise. Helped with a very strategic question about merging into traffic. Learned I need to slow down to evaluate oncoming traffic."
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"What the article helped me the most was to practice and keep your cool, and turn your signals and check your blind spot when changing lanes."
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