FREEWAY DRIVING Chapter 12

12-1 The Freeway Driving Environment Freeways

Divided roadways with at least two lanes going in the same direction

Built to maximize safety at higher speeds○ Lanes & shoulders are wider○ Signs & bridge supports are clear of the

roadway○ Less time to react to an emergency situation

Typically more crowded than an open highwayEscape routes are limited

Interchanges

Used to allow traffic to enter, exit, or cross a freeway without interrupting the normal flow of traffic

Types of Interchanges:CloverleafDiamondTrumpetDirectional

Types of Interchanges

Cloverleaf InterchangeTwo freeways intersect, with ramps allowing

drivers to move from one to the other without having to stop or turn

Types of Interchanges

Diamond InterchangeA freeway intersects a highway with less

trafficDrivers must stop or yield before turning left

or merging right into cross traffic

Types of Interchanges

Trumpet InterchangeA freeway and highway form a “T”Drivers exiting the freeway merge on the

highway after one direction of traffic crosses over or under the freeway

Types of Interchanges

Directional InterchangeSeveral freeways and/or highways meetTraffic is channeled in various directions

through a complicated series of elevated ramps

Scanning for Danger

Scan ahead Pay attention to signs, signals, roadway

markings Increase following distance Identify hazards before you get to them Be on the lookout for speedsters,

constant lane changers, tailgaters, etc.

Choosing a Lane

Depends on the volume and speed of traffic

Usually the center lanes are for through traffic

Left lane is for faster than normal traffic and for vehicles passing slower traffic

Right lane is for slower traffic or traffic preparing to exitAvoid driving in this lane – cars are trying to

merge

Changing Lanes

Must be patient and cautiousSo many lanes and so many carsDrivers competing for the same spaceOpenings in traffic can appear and

disappear in secondsOnly change one lane at a timeAccidents can and will happen

12-2 Entering Freeways Three major parts of freeway entrance:

On-Ramps○ May go up or down to the freeway○ Never back up on an on ramp○ Scan for a gap from the on ramp to prepare to merge

Acceleration Lane○ A temporary lane that allows you to match speeds of the

freeway before enteringMerging Area

○ Space where the acceleration lane merges with the freeway○ Make speed adjustments and steer gradually into the

through lane○ Always merge into the first lane of the freeway

12-3 Exiting Freeways

Smoother than enteringMore time to prepareDeceleration Lanes

○ Allow drivers exiting the freeway to adjust to slower speed conditions

○ Don’t slow down to enterThat’s what the lane itself is for

Off-Ramps○ Speed limits will be posted○ Will be short and have sharp curves

12-4 Other Dangers of Freeway Driving “Weave” Lanes

One of the most dangerous situations facing freeway drivers

Sharing acceleration and deceleration lanesOccurs when an off-ramp is placed

immediately after an on-rampVehicles share right-of-wayActively scan and communicate with other

driversSPACE CUSHION

12-4 Other Dangers on the Freeway Double-Merge Lanes

Separate lanes that stay separate throughout the entire merge

Entering the freeway○ From the inner lane

Find and appropriate merging space with the through traffic

Watch out for vehicles from the outer lane

Exiting the freeway○ Not as problematic, but be ready for drivers to

make erratic changesMay get stuck on the inner lane and cut across to exit

12-4 Other Dangers on the Freeway Express Lanes

Special reversible lanes that go into and out of cities

Make sure you know the direction of travel for that time of day

12-4 Other Dangers on the Freeway Rush-Hour Traffic

Freeways are designed for high-speed driving, but not the case with Rush-Hour

Attempts to alleviate the problem○ Road construction○ Tollways○ Commuter lanes○ Carpool lanes○ Metered on-ramps○ Public transportation

Can and will be frustrating and dangerous○ If traffic is stopped in one lane and not the other

Cars will move in and out of lanes Traveling at high and low speeds

Don’t use the median or shoulder

12-4 Other Dangers on the Freeway Tollways

Also called turnpikes, toll expressways, or toll roads

Can be connected to freeways and provide alternate routes

Signs will be posted telling you which lane to get into

Pay the toll at a toll booth○ Usually located at exits or entrances to tollways○ Three types of tollbooths

Scan Machine-operated Attendant operated

Approach with caution and allow plenty of time It helps to have exact change ready. If you don’t,

people will get irritated