Chapter 11

1. Chapter 11 Interstate Driving

2. Expressway • A controlled access highway. Vehicles can enter or leave only at interchanges.

3. Advantages of Expressways: • Best protection for driving at higher speed • Carry more traffic and are safer • Collisions and fatality rates are lower

4. 5 Reasons why expressways have fewer collisions • Cross traffic is eliminated • Have a median strip or barrier between opposing lanes • Pedestrians, animals, and slow moving vehicles are not permitted • Design help keep vehicles from hitting fixed objects • Designed to help drivers anticipate conditions ahead

5. Interchanges • Vehicles can cross over or under an expressway • Vehicles can enter and leave an expressway without interfering with the flow of traffic

6. Types of Interchanges • Cloverleaf Interchange

7. Types of Interchanges • Diamond Interchange

8. Types of Interchanges • Trumpet Interchange

9. Types of Interchanges • All-Directional Interchange

10. Strategies for safe expressway driving • Prepare yourself and your car – know your route name, number or direction • Plan stops for fuel, food, and rest • Check your car’s mechanical condition • Build experience gradually • Concentrate on the driving task • Cooperate with other drivers

11. Entering Expressways Expressway Entrances (3 Parts) • Entrance Ramp – Gives you time to evaluate traffic as you prepare to merge • Acceleration Lane – Long enough so you can accelerate to the speed on the expressway • Merging Area – Enter the expressway from this area at about same speed as cars in first lane

13. 5 Steps for Entering Expressways • Correct entrance ramp (Wrong way, Do not Enter) • On Ramp/Entrance Ramp – be alert for stopped vehicles or vehicles behind you. Glance over left shoulder. Turn on left turn signal. • On the Acceleration Lane – adjust speed to flow of traffic, look for gap to enter • Decide which vehicle to follow in traffic flow. As you enter the merge area, adjust your speed to match traffic speed. • In Traffic – turn off signal, adjust speed, and keep a safe cushion.

14. Possible Entrance Problems • Backing up. NEVER DO THIS!!!!!!!!! • Watch for speed limits • No gap in traffic. You might have to slow down or even STOP. You must YIELD. • Watch car ahead of you on ramp • Signal lights on ramp – used during rush hours. Obey Red/Green.

15. Possible Entrance Problems • Stopping (only as a last resort) • Flash brake lights • Pull onto shoulder • Wait for safe gap • Accelerate QUICKLY

16. Driving on the Expressway • Use the IPDE process • Watch for brake lights • Note signs, signals, and roadway markings • Be aware of roadway conditions

17. Driving on the Expressway • Lane Choice • Use right lane • Use Center and left lane for passing and to allow traffic onto interstate

18. Driving on the Expressway • Overhead Signs • Tells you which lane to be in for exiting or going to your destination. Ex. Exit, next exit, exit only, thru traffic, etc . . .

19. Driving on the Expressway • Speed limits • 55-65 Maximum • 45 Minimum • Common Speed – Speed used by most drivers

20. Driving on the Expressway • Following • Use 3 Second Rule (Normal conditions) • Use 4-6 Second Rule when: • Following a truck or bus • Driving in bad weather • Driving in heavy traffic • Pulling a trailer • Operating a motorcycle • Entering or exiting an interstate being tailgated

21. Driving on the Expressway • Blind spots • Check before changing lanes • Look in rear/side mirrors often • Trucks

22. Driving on the Expressway • Lane Changing • Change one at a time • Signal every lane change • Check blind spots • Cancel signal • Do not decelerate (unless needed) • Beware of middle lane (when outside lane and inside lane both want to go to middle) • To allow entering traffic to merge

23. Driving on the Expressway • Passing and Being Passed • Pass on left (right is permitted if slower vehicle does not move over) • Follow procedures for making lane changes • See headlights of vehicles you are passing before moving back over (In rear view mirror) • Do no reduce speed

24. Exiting Expressways • Know in advance what exit • Steps for exiting expressways: • about ½ mile before exit, signal and move into the lane that leads to the deceleration lane • Move into deceleration lane as soon as it begins. Do not slow down until your car is out of expressway traffic. • Cancel your signal, slow down gradually • Identify ramp speed sign, be prepared to stop at end of ramp.

26. Exiting Expressways • Exiting Problems • Crossing paths (Let entering driver go first) • Ramp overflow – Flash brake lights, use next exit if possible • Short deceleration lane – slow more quickly, judge the lane’s length, identify exit speed, watch traffic to rear.

27. Special Situations on Expressways • Expressways thru cities • More ramps • Drive in center or left lane if not exiting • Know well in advance your exit • Predict what other drivers might do

28. Special Situations on Expressways • Disabled vehicle (your car) • Signal and pull as far off the expressway as possible (even into the grass) • Turn on emergency flashers • Everyone in car should get out and away from car • Raise hood and tie a white tag to antenna or door handle • Set out emergency flares or reflectors (500 ft. behind car)

29. Special Situations on Expressways • Roadway Construction • Watch and obey orange construction signs • Slow to posted speed limit

30. Special Situations on Expressways • Rural Interstate Highways • Watch speed

31. Special Situations on Expressways • Toll Booths • Look for green light (tells which booths are open) • Machine operated (correct change) • Attendant operated • Merge carefully

32. Special Situations on Expressways • Highway Hypnosis • Velocitation – thinking your car is going slower than it really is (occurs after hours of expressway driving