Top ten highway driving tips
As relaxing and uplifting driving on open roads can be, there are a few tips to make the long drives easier and safer.
most of us love road trips. A weekend getaway or week-long adventure trip; whichever sort of drive it may be or whatever season it is, going away with friends and family, is among the most easy-to-take vacations. But while the idea of a driving holiday is great, there are some guidelines you should follow to make the trip safe and fun. Road conditions in our country are unpredictable, especially on highways with no traffic enforcers, it's basically a jungle out there. Therefore you must be even more cautious in these situations. So, here are some important things to bear in mind before you set off on that road trip.
1 Pick a speed and stick to it
Speed is one of the most overlooked aspects when it comes to highway driving. Maintaining high speeds on highways is easy as roads are wider and traffic is generally light. If there are signs that show a speed limit of 80kph, use them as a guide and stick close to those. They're primarily for your safety and that of others on the road and you should always try to comply with them. This, however, isn't easy. There's no enforcement to begin with and then, you often try and keep up with the rest of the traffic, all of whom are likely to be going too quick. So, the best thing to do is assess the road, see the conditions and set your pace. Wet roads, night driving, high speeds and tightly packed highways should instantly set off alarm bells. Take heed, slow down. If the road opens up and the visibility is good, by all means, speed up a bit and enjoy the road, but be smart about it and always keep braking distances in mind.
2 Lane changing
Switching lanes is among the most important driving manoeuvres. It becomes especially crucial on highways where most vehicles travel at high speeds. Do it wrong and the consequences can be severe. One of the most common mistakes made is driving in the wrong lane. Before you change from one lane to another, recognise the speed differences between the lanes and accordingly, alter your vehicle’s speed. The right-most lane is just for overtaking. Called the fast lane, it is often misused as a secondary driving lane. A slow-moving car can be a danger here. If you need to change your lane, make sure you give the appropriate signals and keep an eye on the differential in speed. Make a move only once you're sure there's a gap safe enough.
3Keep safe distance between vehicles
While driving on the highway, keep a wide distance between your vehicle and those around you. Traffic is always unpredictable and there could be a situation where the vehicle ahead of you could suddenly brake. Safe distance between that vehicle and yours buys you enough time to brake or avoid a collision. Always follow the 3 second rule. Look for a bridge or signboard as a reference point and check the time you take to get there after the car in front of you passes it. It is advised to keep this time at a minimum of 3 seconds. At night, increase that time to around 5 seconds. Be more cautious if you are driving through heavy rains or fog
4 Overtaking
Another crucial aspect of highway driving is overtaking. According to a recent survey, of all accidents on high-speed roadways, the maximum occur due to error of judgment when overtaking. Correct judgement and timing are the primary points of focus while overtaking. First, anticipate the speed of the vehicle in front of you by giving the upcoming car a long hard look. Think movie, not snapshot, the former will help you judge speed. Check for vehicles approaching from behind before you pull out from the lane. Make sure you have the appropriate gear selected. A higher gear will take more time, hence, going to a lower gear is advised. Once you have overtaken the vehicle don’t suddenly move back into the driving lane. Build the gap between yours and the overtaken vehicle and only once it seems appropriate, switch back. Remember, these directions are for dual carriageways.
On single carriageways, you have to be a lot more careful. Not only do you have to keep an eye on vehicles approaching from behind but also on those coming right at you. Switch lanes only if the distance from oncoming traffic looks enough for you to complete the manoeuvre safely and flash your lights to signal the approaching vehicles. Remember, when overtaking, you're in the oncoming lane and you should exit it as soon as possible, without cutting off the vehicle you are going past. Hesitating during this move could cut down the safe distance between you and oncoming traffic and force the vehicle being overtaken to brake suddenly.
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