Better driving: Highways driving

Because speed are so much higher on the highways the margin of error are less: in few cases none at all. The basic skills and rules and driving must be applied, without hesitation. Highway driving demands 1 concentration and total awareness. Just a second’s distraction at 110km/h means you have travelled ‘blind’ for more than 100ft – that the length of nine Toyota starlet kissing each other from the rear.

For decades there have been three main causes of highway accident:

1.    Excessive speed for the weather condition and traffic condition

2.    Faulty observation or anticipation.

3.    Driving too close to behind other cars.   

(The one most often observed is poor anticipation, which leads to head on collision on singe lane highways- with one lane to each direction)

All three faults are as a result of breaking basic rules of driving. The highway has not created these hazards- it only lessens a drivers chance of a breach of the rules.

Let’s have a look at three areas when driving on the highway; speed, observation and following distance to tackle the faults.

Speed Drive always within the limits of the visibility and road holding of the vehicle. Heavy fogs or heavy dust by any side construction could cause great dangers. Even how far you can see matters a lot. So it is very important that you use your speedometer-make sure it is working. A driver on the highway can be cocooned in a snug isolation that feels misleadingly safe. In fact he is never less safe if he allows concentration to lapse and speed to rise out of proportion to visibility.  Drive at a speed that allow safe stopping for the amount of road that can be seen ahead. Rain, especially after several days of dry weather, greatly reduces the grip of the tyres on the road. These could sometimes cause wheel spin. You also have to consider the level of road hold your car has for safe manuveurs.

Observation Use your rear view mirror continually so that you know as much about the traffic behind you as the front. When you’re overtaking or changing lanes, remember the sequence: look-signal-act. Always double-check the view behind before changing lanes, being especially careful from traffics that might be hidden in ‘blind spot’ at the rear quarters of the rear.

Following distance Leave a gap of least a yard for every km/h. In wet weather double or triple the distance.

Driving on highways is not often a great deal but it requires our fullest attention. As you do so you’ll preserve your soul and others. As usual drive carefully and be safe. Remember we all want to drive to the end of this year.