Freeway driving

By the end of this topic you can

• You can use the on-ramp and acceleration lane to reach traffic speed before merging.
• You can find and use a safe gap without stopping on the ramp.
• You can choose the right lane and keep a safe following distance at speed.
• You can plan and make an exit, and recover calmly if you miss one.

What you need to know and understand

• Traffic already on the freeway has the right-of-way. You must fit into a gap.
• Use the acceleration lane to match the speed of traffic before merging.
• Keep at least a three-second following distance, and more in bad weather or behind large trucks.
• California's handbook advises signaling about 400 feet, or five seconds, before your exit.
• Never stop, back up or make a U-turn on a freeway. If you miss your exit, go on to the next one.
• Speed limits, minimum speeds and keep-right rules vary by state: follow posted signs and check your state manual.
• Carpool (HOV) lanes have occupancy rules and hours shown on signs; do not cross double solid lines to enter or leave them.

Getting on: ramp to merge

Do not stop at the end of an acceleration lane unless you have no choice: merging from a standstill into fast traffic is very dangerous. Some ramps have meter lights that let one car go at a time; wait for green.

1. On the ramp, look ahead and check the freeway traffic in your mirror and over your shoulder.
2. Signal early to show you plan to merge.
3. Speed up in the acceleration lane to match the flow of traffic.
4. Pick a gap, check your blind spot again, and move smoothly into it.
5. Cancel your signal and settle into a safe following distance.

In the flow of traffic

• Use the right lanes for cruising and the left lane mainly for passing, unless signs say otherwise.
• Change lanes one at a time, signaling and checking blind spots each time.
• Look well ahead, at least 10 to 15 seconds, so you can see brake lights and slowdowns early.
• When others are merging from a ramp, move over a lane or adjust speed to help them in if you can do so safely.
• Avoid driving in other vehicles' blind spots, especially trucks.

Getting off and breakdowns

Watch the overhead and roadside signs for your exit well in advance. Move into the exit lane early, signal, and do not slow down on the freeway itself: use the deceleration lane or off-ramp to brake. Ramps often have lower advisory speeds and tight curves.

If your car breaks down, signal and move onto the right shoulder as far from traffic as you can, and turn on your hazard lights. California's handbook advises staying inside with your seat belt on until help arrives, but says it can be safer to get out on the side away from traffic and wait well clear of the lanes when the shoulder is narrow or there is a guardrail or safe area to stand behind. Call 911 in an emergency, or use your state's roadside help number or a call box where available.

Common mistakes

• Merging too slowly: use the full acceleration lane to reach traffic speed.
• Stopping at the end of the on-ramp when there is a gap: commit once it is safe.
• Cutting across several lanes at once to reach an exit: change one lane at a time.
• Braking on the freeway before the exit lane: slow down on the ramp.
• Reversing after missing an exit: always continue to the next one.

Test yourself: Freeway driving

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.