Road trips are something that most of us enjoy. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a weekend escape or a long-term adventure; a road trip with friends is one of the best vacation ideas. Although driving on holiday sounds great, there are some rules you need to follow to keep your trip safe and enjoyable. Road conditions are unpredictable in this country, especially on highways without traffic enforcers. You must be extra cautious in such situations. Safer Drivers Course can teach you the necessary skills and driving education windsor on to improve your driving abilities and become a competent driver while driving on highway.
These are the most important things you should remember before you go on your road trip.
1 Select a speed and then stick to it
When it comes to highway driving, speed is the most important aspect. Because roads are wider, and traffic is light, it is easier to maintain high speeds while driving on highways. You can use speed limits that are posted on highways as a guideline. These speed limits are intended to ensure your safety and the safety of others on roads. You must comply with them. This, however, isn’t easy. It’s not easy because there is no enforcement. You also have to keep up with traffic, which can be dangerous as they are all likely to be driving too fast. The best thing is to look at the road and assess the conditions before you set your pace. Night driving, wet roads and tight-packed highways should immediately set off alarm bells. Slow down. If visibility is good and the road is open, you can speed up. However, be aware of your surroundings and keep your brake distances in mind.
2 Lane Changing
It is one of the most essential driving skills. This is particularly important when vehicles are moving at high speeds on the highways. You could face serious consequences if you do it wrong. Driving in the wrong lanes is one of the biggest mistakes. Before you make a change to one lane, you must be aware of the speed differences between them and, if necessary, adjust your vehicle speed. The right-most lane can be used for overtaking. The fast lane is commonly used as a secondary driving lane. It can be dangerous to drive in this lane if you have a slow car. Make sure to signal your intention to change lanes and pay attention to the speed differential. You should only make a move once you feel there’s enough distance.
3 Keep a safe distance from vehicles
When driving on the highway, be sure to keep your vehicle well clear of other vehicles. Traffic is unpredictable. There may be an unexpected situation in which the vehicle ahead of yours suddenly brakes. The safe distance between your vehicle and the other vehicle gives you enough time to halt or avoid a collision. Follow the third rule. Use a signboard or bridge as a point of reference and record the time it takes you to get there after the car in front passes it. It is recommended that you keep the time to get there at least 3 seconds. At night, this should be increased to approximately 5 seconds. You should be more careful if you drive through fog or heavy rains.
4 Taking Over
Overtaking is an important aspect of highway driving. Recent research shows that the majority of accidents on highways occur because of an error in judgment during overtaking. Overtaking is a matter of timing and good judgment. You must first anticipate the speed of any vehicle ahead of you. This can be done by looking at the approaching car closely. The latter will help you judge speed. Think movie, not snapshot. Before you pull out, make sure to check for vehicles behind you. Be sure to select the right gear. It will take you longer to shift into a higher gear, so it is best to use a lower gear. Do not suddenly reverse into the driving lanes after you have passed the vehicle. Make space between you and the vehicle that is overtaking you. Once it feels right, you can switch back. These directions are only for dual carriageways.
Single carriageways require you to be much more cautious. It is important to watch out for cars coming towards you and those approaching you from behind. If the distance between you and oncoming traffic is sufficient to allow you to safely complete the maneuver, then switch lanes. Keep in mind that you are always overtaking and should leave the oncoming lane immediately. Refusing to move can reduce the safe distance between your vehicle and the oncoming traffic. It could also cause the vehicle being passed to suddenly break.
5 Useful signaling
While you must be aware and alert to the movements of vehicles in your lane, it is equally important for you to inform other motorists of your movements. You must always indicate when you change lanes. If there is a deviation or obstruction in front of you, you should turn on your safety lights and reduce the speed. Be sure to indicate when you are rejoining the highway following a stop.
