Florida Drivers Handbook |
3.11. Expressway Driving
Expressway Driving
Expressways - also called interstate highways,
freeways, and turnpikes are multiple-lane roads with no
stop signs, traffic lights, or railroad crossings. For these
reasons, expressways can give you a fast, safe way to get
where you need to go.
Pedestrians, hitchhikers, bicycles, animal-drawn vehicles
or motor-driven cycles and motor scooters with 150 cubic
centimeter displacement or less are not allowed on expressways.
Entering and Leaving Expressways
Vehicles can enter and leave expressways only at certain
points. Because expressway traffic is usually moving at
or close to the maximum speed allowed, you need to know
how to enter and exit safely.
All expressway entrances have three basic parts: an entrance
ramp, an acceleration lane, and a merging area. Follow these
guidelines to enter an expressway safely:
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On the entrance ramp, begin checking
for an opening in traffic. Signal for your turn.
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As the ramp straightens into the acceleration
lane, speed up. Try to adjust your speed so that you can
move into the traffic when you reach the end of the acceleration
lane.
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Merge into traffic when you can do
so safely. You must yield the right-of-way to traffic
on the expressway. You cannot always count on other drivers
moving over to give you room to enter, but do not stop
on an acceleration lane unless traffic is too heavy and
there is no space for you to enter safely.
When leaving an expressway:
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Get into the exit lane. Posted signs
will tell you which one. Most expressway exits are from
the right lane.
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Signal your intention to leave the
expressway by using your turn signal.
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Slow down as soon as you are off the
expressway. Check the posted safe speed for he exit ramp.
-
Do not make last-minute turns into
an exit. If you go past your exit, you must go to the
next one.
| Expressway
Safety Reminders
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Plan your trip. Know just
where you will get on and get off.
-
Drive in the right lane and
pass on the left. If there are three lanes, use
the right lane for lower speed driving, the left
for passing. If you stay in the right lane, watch
for cars entering the expressway. Adjust your
speed or move into the center lane so they can
enter safely.
-
Never stop on the pavement,
shoulder, or connecting ramp of an expressway
except in an emergency. If your vehicle breaks
down, it may be parked on the side of the expressway
(completely off the pavement) for no more than
six hours. Raise your hood and tie a white cloth
to your antenna or left door handle to show you
need help.
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Never back up on an expressway
entrance ramp or exit ramp. The only exception
to this would be if you are trying to enter an
expressway through an exit. In this case, you
would see a "WRONG WAY" or "DO
NOT ENTER" sign. Then you must back up or
turn around.
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Do not cross, drive on or park
on the median strip.
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Do not follow too closely.
Rear end collisions are the greatest danger on
expressways. Always leave room for emergency stops.
-
Stop driving when you feel
tired. On long trips the hum of the engine and
your lack of movement can make you feel sleepy.
Stop for a cup of coffee, a short walk, or a nap.
Do not risk falling asleep at the wheel.
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Night Driving
You will need to drive with extra care at night. You cannot
see as far ahead or to the side, and glare from oncoming
cars can reduce your vision even more. Follow these guidelines
for driving at night:
-
Use your headlights (low beam or high
beam) between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
Low beam headlamps are only effective
for speeds up to 20-25 MPH. You must use special care
when driving faster than these speeds, since you are
unable to detect pedestrians, bicyclists and others.
-
High beam headlights can reveal objects
up to a distance of at least 450 feet and are most effective
for speeds faster than 25 MPH.
-
Don’t use high-beam headlights
within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles.
-
If you are behind other vehicles, use
low beams when you are within 300 feet of the vehicle
ahead.
-
When leaving a brightly lit place,
drive slowly until your eyes adjust to the darkness.
-
If a vehicle comes toward you with
high beams, flash your lights to high beam and back to
low beam once.
-
Don’t look directly at oncoming
headlights. Instead, watch the right edge of your lane.
Look quickly to be sure of the other vehicle’s position
every few seconds.
-
Drive as far to the right as you can
if a vehicle with one light comes toward you.
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