Expressway Driving Tips

Driving along the expressway or a freeway can be very enjoyable and relaxing. There are no stop lights, most certainly no heavy traffic and it's a pretty straightforward road. But since you are driving at high speeds, you should be more alert and you need to give utmost concentration on the road. Here are some tips while driving along the expressway for a safe and fun trip.

The basic rule in driving is to give enough distance from the car in front of you for you to be able to stop on time. Do not ever tailgate any car whether it is slow, fast, new, old, big, small, well you get the picture. The higher your speed is, the longer the braking distance is. If something happens and if you don't give enough space for braking, a collision will most likely occur.

On a long high speed drive, try to maintain a constant speed. Depending on the condition of your vehicle, do not stay long at very high RPMs and keep it at around 3,500 RPMs. Staying at high RPMs can induce overheating, increased wear and tear on your engine as it's pushing more power and waste fuel.

On the expressway, even though there usually aren't many distractions, be aware of the surroundings. Check for debris and obstructions on the road. Be aware of all the cars in your immediate surroundings from all directions. Check for immediate dangers especially from other cars. If you notice someone going really fast, don't try to run alongside it or even outrun it just because of pure pleasure and pride. Always be on the safer side and remember that the faster you go, most likely, the shorter the reaction time you'd need.

There will always be those who drive slowly but not to worry, you can overtake them. Just make sure you use your signal lights and that the coast is clear. Give enough space for your car to move to either side of the car you're trying to overtake and don't cut in front of that car. If you want to go back in front of that car, I suggest you go back after a distance of 5 or more car lengths just to be safe. If you just want to pass them up then do so carefully.

Special conditions require special attention. Reduce speed while driving at night, when it's raining or on snow-covered roads. It will be much harder to control the vehicle under these circumstances and driving at very high speeds can greatly increase the risk of accidents. You should concentrate more during these conditions so try to prevent or at least minimize conversations with your passengers. Stay focused on your driving and for crying out loud, do not watch on-board TV.

Be aware of the rules of the expressway such as speed limits, overtaking and passing rules, slow and fast lanes, etc. And of course, make sure that you focus on your directions so that you won't miss your exit point.

On the lighter side, there's a chance that there are emergency bays for you to take a breather along the expressway. There are probably some gas stations with food kiosks, convenience stores, fast food or relaxation areas so if you need to or just even want to, don't hesitate and stop for a while to rest, have a snack and/or a drink. So, when driving along the expressway, just keep your composure while concentrating on the road. Have fun, relax and enjoy a safe trip.