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11.
Freeways |
Entering
a freeway correctly takes careful
observation and judgement of traffic. To join fast flowing traffic via
an onramp is one place, where more speed may be safer than less. The
main characteristic of a freeway is that you always enter and leave
via the left lane. This is the reason why no vehicle needs to be in
the right lane, unless overtaking.
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Here's
how to safely drive onto a freeway: |
1. Obtain
a careful view of traffic travelling on the freeway.
2. Indicate
right and maintain or increase speed, if necessary. Keep a safe
distance from any vehicle ahead!
Only slow down, if absolutely necessary.
3. Match
your speed with that of the
freeway traffic. This usually means accelerate! The longer the
acceleration lane and/or the more power your car can produce, the
smoother your entry will be.
4. Cancel
indicator!
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How
to leave the freeway |
| When
nearing the freeway exit, look for these green signs. The two
white bars indicate 200 meters to the exit. There are three of
these, placed at 100, 200 and 300 metres before the start of the
exit ramp. |
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Exiting
a freeway is via a 'deceleration lane' (the off ramp). Before
reducing speed, check mirrors and indicate left. Move across the
white broken line first, then commence braking.
| How
not to exit a freeway: >>>
This
truck driver only avoid a collision by braking hard and swerving
into the other lane.
The sedan
should have moved into the deceleration late far earlier and
only there commenced braking! |
|
| How
not to enter a freeway: >>>
The sedan
should use the far left acceleration lane
and merge into the freeway. Note
how a problem in one lane, can easily spill over into an
adjacent one.
A good example
where a seemingly minor error can affect motorists travelling
behind and those in other lanes! |
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To
assist others to enter smoothly, traffic on the freeway may slow down,
if safe to do so, or change from the left to the right lane. However
this not always possible. Should the possibility of a collision arise,
vehicles entering must take evasive action and yield to traffic
already on the freeway.
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Two
things to never do on a freeway:
1.
Don't overtake just
prior to turning off.
2.
Never reverse on a freeway if you
missed your turn-off.
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Driving
down a multi-lane road at high
speed holds one great danger: Heavy vehicles in the left lane must drive at very slow
speed, in low gear as to not overheat the brakes! Best to avoid the far left lane. High
speed and slow speed don't mix. The
speed difference may leave very little time to brake or change lanes.
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Our
information could vary in your part of the world. We recommend
you use above information in conjunction with a professional
driving instructor.
All
articles Copyright Dieter Fischer 2001 / Site revised 2020.
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