Chapter 12 - Freeway Driving
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Transcript Chapter 12 - Freeway Driving
Chapter 12
12-1 The Freeway Driving
Environment
Freeways
Divided roadways with at least two lanes
going in the same direction
Built to maximize safety at higher speeds
○ Lanes & shoulders are wider
○ Signs & bridge supports are clear of the
roadway
○ Less time to react to an emergency situation
Typically more crowded than an open highway
Escape routes are limited
Interchanges
Used to allow traffic to enter, exit, or
cross a freeway without interrupting the
normal flow of traffic
Types of Interchanges:
Cloverleaf
Diamond
Trumpet
Directional
Types of Interchanges
Cloverleaf Interchange
Two freeways intersect, with ramps allowing
drivers to move from one to the other
without having to stop or turn
Types of Interchanges
Diamond Interchange
A freeway intersects a highway with less
traffic
Drivers must stop or yield before turning left
or merging right into cross traffic
Types of Interchanges
Trumpet Interchange
A freeway and highway form a “T”
Drivers exiting the freeway merge on the
highway after one direction of traffic crosses
over or under the freeway
Types of Interchanges
Directional Interchange
Several freeways and/or highways meet
Traffic is channeled in various directions
through a complicated series of elevated
ramps
Scanning for Danger
Scan ahead
Pay attention to signs, signals, roadway
markings
Increase following distance
Identify hazards before you get to them
Be on the lookout for speedsters,
constant lane changers, tailgaters, etc.
Choosing a Lane
Depends on the volume and speed of
traffic
Usually the center lanes are for through
traffic
Left lane is for faster than normal traffic
and for vehicles passing slower traffic
Right lane is for slower traffic or traffic
preparing to exit
Avoid driving in this lane – cars are trying to
merge
Changing Lanes
Must be patient and cautious
So many lanes and so many cars
Drivers competing for the same space
Openings in traffic can appear and
disappear in seconds
Only change one lane at a time
Accidents can and will happen
12-2 Entering Freeways
Three major parts of freeway entrance:
On-Ramps
○ May go up or down to the freeway
○ Never back up on an on ramp
○ Scan for a gap from the on ramp to prepare to merge
Acceleration Lane
○ A temporary lane that allows you to match speeds of
the freeway before entering
Merging Area
○ Space where the acceleration lane merges with the
freeway
○ Make speed adjustments and steer gradually into the
through lane
○ Always merge into the first lane of the freeway
12-3 Exiting Freeways
Smoother than entering
More time to prepare
Deceleration Lanes
○ Allow drivers exiting the freeway to adjust to
slower speed conditions
○ Don’t slow down to enter
That’s what the lane itself is for
Off-Ramps
○ Speed limits will be posted
○ Will be short and have sharp curves
12-4 Other Dangers of Freeway
Driving
“Weave” Lanes
One of the most dangerous situations facing
freeway drivers
Sharing acceleration and deceleration lanes
Occurs when an off-ramp is placed
immediately after an on-ramp
Vehicles share right-of-way
Actively scan and communicate with other
drivers
SPACE CUSHION
12-4 Other Dangers on the
Freeway
Double-Merge Lanes
Separate lanes that stay separate throughout
the entire merge
Entering the freeway
○ From the inner lane
Find and appropriate merging space with the through
traffic
Watch out for vehicles from the outer lane
Exiting the freeway
○ Not as problematic, but be ready for drivers to
make erratic changes
May get stuck on the inner lane and cut across to exit
12-4 Other Dangers on the
Freeway
Express Lanes
Special reversible lanes that go into and out
of cities
Make sure you know the direction of travel
for that time of day
12-4 Other Dangers on the
Freeway
Rush-Hour Traffic
Freeways are designed for high-speed driving, but not the
case with Rush-Hour
Attempts to alleviate the problem
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Road construction
Tollways
Commuter lanes
Carpool lanes
Metered on-ramps
Public transportation
Can and will be frustrating and dangerous
○ If traffic is stopped in one lane and not the other
Cars will move in and out of lanes
Traveling at high and low speeds
Don’t use the median or shoulder
12-4 Other Dangers on the
Freeway
Tollways
Also called turnpikes, toll expressways, or toll
roads
Can be connected to freeways and provide
alternate routes
Signs will be posted telling you which lane to get
into
Pay the toll at a toll booth
○ Usually located at exits or entrances to tollways
○ Three types of tollbooths
Scan
Machine-operated
Attendant operated
Approach with caution and allow plenty of time
It helps to have exact change ready. If you don’t,
people will get irritated