Safety Tips for Highway Driving

Many people have anxiety when driving on the highway, and it's certainly not without good reason! When you think about the number of cars on the highway, the high speed traveling, merging traffic and the possibility of getting stuck bumper to bumper in a long line of cars - highway driving has a number of risks for car accidents. Here are safety tips for highway driving:

Obey Speed Limits and Use Common Sense

Highways often allow speeds of 65 to 70 miles per hour, but that doesn't mean you have to always drive that fast. If the highway is heavily congested, you should reduce your speed. The weather conditions should also help you decide what speed to drive - the less visibility you have, the slower you should drive.

Drive on the Right Side

In multiple lane highways, the left lane is typically meant for passing slower traffic. If you are driving slower than most of the other cars on the road - stay in the right lane so other cars can easily pass you. If you would like to pass a slower moving car in front of you, wait for an opportunity to safely pull into the left lane and speed up to pass the car. You should avoid driving in the left lane if possible, and use it primarily for passing.

Take Frequent Breaks

Many drivers on the highway are traveling long distance. When you feel your eyelids getting heavy or you simply feel tired and bored - give yourself a break. Pull off at the nearest rest area, or get off at the next exit and take a break. Get out of the car and walk around, get some fresh air, have a snack. Make sure you are alert enough to drive before getting back into the car. When people drive tired, they increase their risks for accident similar to driving while intoxicated.

Be Alert Around Trucks

The highway is home to trucks weighing as much as 80,000 pounds. Be alert to trucks on the highway. Trucks have larger blind spots than other vehicles, so take extra care when passing a truck and never try to squeeze between a truck making a right hand turn and the curb - they won't be able to see you and will probably hit you making the corner.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, call on NY auto accident lawyers for a consultation of your case.




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