Protect Yourself and Your Family with these DVD programs
ON THE ROAD
On The "Freeway" Road
To make use of the advantages of freeway driving, you should know how to use a freeways properly. Learn to understand and recognize their unique features. This will help to decrease driving time, make fatigue less severe, and increase your margin of safety.
Freeways are now a way of life and are multi-lane divided highways with limited access from other roads. Because there are no stops or cross traffic, they permit you to travel long distances without stopping, as quickly and safely as possible.
Planning Your Trip
When planning a trip on a freeways, you should know in advance where you plan to go and what stops you will make on the way. Use a map to decide exactly where you must enter and exit the freeway because sometimes if you miss the exit…you are long gone for miles before you can safely turn around.
Check you gas gauge on your vehicle, gas stations are few and far between on a freeway. Get fuel if you do not have enough to reach your first stop. Make sure your car is in good mechanical condition. Check to see that the tires (including a spare in the trunk). Also remember to check the water, again…CHECK THE WATER and oil levels...again...CHECK THE OIL LEVEL.
Because there are so few service stations located directly on freeways, you may be in big trouble if your car breaks down or runs out of gas. Remember, running out of gas is not an emergency situation. If this happens, you may receive a ticket for parking on the freeway.
Entering the Freeway
Entry ramps are provided for getting onto state freeways. These are short, one-way traffic ramps that allow you to enter the freeway easily and safely.
Once you reach the end of the entry ramp you will come to a special acceleration lane. This lane will allow you to increase speed enough to match that of other traffic already on the freeway. Watch for an opening in the nearest traffic lane. When you spot one, merge smoothly into the lane of traffic. Remember to use your turn signal soon enough to allow other traffic to see where you are going so they may adjust accordingly…Drivers on the freeway should allow you room to merge, but DRIVE DEFENSIVELY… you are the one required to yield if they do not. Do not stop on the ramp or in the acceleration lane unless absolutely necessary.
When there is a YIELD sign posted on the entry ramp, and no acceleration lane, entering vehicles must yield to traffic already on the freeway. If necessary, you should stop rather than force your way into the traffic stream. The first thing you should learn to do when using a freeway is to observe the posted speed limits, keep pace with other traffic and stay alert. If you are driving at a speed slower than other traffic, stay in the lane nearest the right side of the roadway.
Cutting in and out of traffic lanes is a very dangerous practice. Choose the lane of traffic moving at the speed you prefer and stay in it. If you must change lanes to pass traffic or leave the freeway…DRIVE DEFENSIVELY… check your path carefully. Make sure it is clear of other traffic, then signal your intent. As always, signals should be made well in advance of making the actual move.
Interchanges
Interchanges are the points where the freeway you are on intersects with another. This design allows vehicles to cross, enter, or leave either highway without interfering with traffic on the other.
Tips for Merging Smoothly:
If there are several cars waiting in line and you have not yet entered the ramp, you must do one of the following:
a. Join the line and wait your turn.
b. Keep going to the next entry ramp.
c. Use another route to reach your destination.
Obey the green, amber and red lights on the ramp meter signal as you would any regular traffic signal. Passing through on a red light is not legal.
If there are no cars waiting at the signal, approach it slowly to avoid a sudden stop. If you are in a line of cars, sudden stops can be dangerous. Stay alert.
If you are waiting to enter behind a slow truck, give the slower vehicle additional space to allow him/her to safely merge with traffic
Make good use of the acceleration lane. Traffic may still be jammed at or near the point where you must merge. To merge safely and without interrupting traffic flow try to get up to freeway speed before merging.
While waiting for the meter signal, watch for emergency vehicles that may have to use the entry ramp. Be prepared to move onto the side so they can pass by.
Here are a few of the most common types of interchanges
Cloverleaf. Designed to allow vehicles to turn off or onto the freeway from four different directions without turning left or crossing other traffic. Uses connection roads with a loop.
Diamond. Designed to allow vehicles to enter or leave the freeway while flowing with traffic. Turns are made after leaving the freeway. Uses four connecting ramps, one for traffic leaving the freeway from each direction, and for traffic entering the freeway from each direction.
Folded Diamond. Also designed to allow traffic to enter or leave the freeway while flowing with traffic. Very similar to the diamond in design with all turns made after leaving the freeway
Motorist Information
Some freeways that go through urban areas have unusually heavy traffic. A number of methods are used to help regulate traffic flow and inform drivers of conditions that may be dangerous. These devices include:
" Ramp meter signals.
" Changeable message signs.
" Lane use control signals.
" Traffic grade signs.
" Traffic radio, television, and telephone.
" Internet
" High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.
" Highway Helpers
Ramp meter signals are used on many freeway entry ramps in some states. These signals help to reduce traffic jams and accidents. They also make merging onto the freeway much easier.
Ramp meter signals look like regular traffic signals. They are placed at a point which is about halfway through the entry ramp. Normally, these signals are used during peak traffic hours. These signals may control more than one lane of traffic on the ramp. You must obey the signal for the lane you are in. To make sure that the traffic detectors used to activate the signal can "see" you, pull up close to the signal device.Changeable message signs are used on certain freeways to:
" Warn drivers of traffic accidents, stalled vehicles, or other traffic problems
" Provide information on traffic flow conditions.
" Advise drivers that they need to slow down and leave the freeway, or avoid it altogether.
Lane use control signals are used on freeways to warn drivers of dangerous conditions in the lane they are using. They are also used to keep drivers out of lanes blocked by accidents, stalled vehicles, road work, or other problems.
Traffic grade signs are used in some areas to give information on traffic flow conditions on the next section of freeway.
Traffic radio, television, and telephone provides information on metro area driving conditions.
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes allow vehicles with two or more people to use diamond and express lanes. The goal of HOV lanes is to use the current freeway system more efficiently and to provide a quicker, more reliable trip to those who carpool.
