FREEWAYS & HIGHWAYS

There are four major components of freeway driving.

1. Entering the freeway

2. Accelerating to merge

3. Driving with traffic on higher speed

4. Exiting the freeway

The usual entry is by a right hand turn, that leads to an acceleration lane, also called 'freeway ramp'.

Follow these instructions to enter safely:

• Obtain a view of traffic already on the freeway, the earlier the better. Keep your distance from preceding traffic to avoid a rear end collision, if they slow down or stop while you turn to check for traffic.

• Indicate right on the approach. (Cancel signal once you are on the freeway).

• Match your speed with that of the freeway traffic. The longer the acceleration lane and the more power your car can produce, the smoother your entry. Only slow down, if absolutely necessary.

Wrong entry on the freeway can give trouble to you and to traffic coming from both directions. It is your responsibility to give way to traffic on the freeway, should this become an issue. Look for the white dotted line. Once you have crossed this line, you are on the freeway!

Trust your fellow motorist to create space for you. Very courteous drivers even change to their left hand lane to assist your entry.

How would you feel if you were the truck driver?

Don’t drive along with the big truck for too long and don’t tailgate a truck because if it breaks suddenly your car will literally go under the rear of the tuck.  Most people have known to have perished in such fatalities.

Don't overtake just prior to turning off.  Change to the extreme right lane as soon as you see the signs of your exit ahead .

Never reverse on a freeway, even if you missed the turnoff.

Don’t drive on the extreme left hand lane for a long time it is called the passing lane.  If you see a driver behind you who wants to pass, signal right and move out of the way and let the driver go.