It is important to obey speed limits. Driving at the posted speed limit is not only a legal requirement, but gives you more control of your vehicle and more time to react to the unexpected maneuvers of other drivers. Adjust your speed depending on road conditions. If it is foggy, rainy, or snowy or if there is road construction, you will need to go slower than the posted speed limit.
Highway traffic invites lane changes and merging from ramps or closed lanes and not everyone uses directional signals. Be alert to the traffic pattern by scanning the road ahead for ramps and vehicles that may pull into your lane. When changing lanes or merging, use your mirrors and signal a lane change at least three seconds prior to the maneuver.
Don’t tailgate. Follow the four second rule to maintain adequate following distance between vehicles. To use the four second rule, watch the vehicle ahead of you pass a fixed point, like a sign or billboard. Begin counting 1001, 1002, 1003, etc. Under ideal circumstances, you should not reach that same spot before counting 1004. During inclement weather conditions or when following larger vehicles, you should keep a five or six second following distance. The extra distance will provide an adequate cushion of safety should there be a sudden need to stop. Allowing extra distance between you and the car ahead will help ensure an escape route and minimize rear-end collisions.
Sharing the roads with trucks that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and which may need up to 100 yards to stop can be extremely dangerous. When passing a truck, don’t move back into the right lane until you can see both truck headlights in your rearview mirror. A truck’s blind spot is up to 20 feet in front of the tractor and anywhere along the sides of the trailer and up to 200 feet behind the trailer! NEVER drive behind a truck that is backing up.
Stay alert while driving on highways. If your eyes begin to close or go out of focus or if you can’t stop yawning, you are running the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Before you embark on your trip get plenty of rest. Do not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. If traveling far, get out of your car every two hours to stretch and rest for 15-20 minutes each time you stop. Take advantage of rest stops along the highways.
NEVER drink and drive. It’s the law! Even the smallest amount of alcohol consumption can impair your judgment.
When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, move one lane over or slow down 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
Stay alert and go with the flow.
For more information on reducing risk or any of our other services, please contact Jeff Harrison at jeff.harrison@cbservices.org or 800.807.0300 ext 2543