Driving on Expressways

 An expressway is a limited-access or controlled-access highway-pg 222  Expressways have fewer collisions for five main reasons-pg 222  Cross traffic is eliminated.  Expressways have a median or barrier between opposing lanes of traffic.  Pedestrians, nonmotorized vehicles, and slow- moving vehicles are not permitted on most expressways.

 Wide shoulders ands extra-wide underpasses provide good escape paths.  Expressways signs are designed to help drivers anticipate conditions well ahead.  Interchanges are places where drivers can cross over or under as well as enter or leave the expressway. Pg-222  Know the different types of interchanges. Pg  Safe driving strategies-For short trips, know the name, route, or number for both the entrance and exit you will use. Pg-223

 For long-distance trips, plan stops for food, fuel, and rest. Pg 223  Build experience gradually-When you are driving in very light traffic, practice lane changes even when there are no vehicles to pass. Pg 224

 Entrance ramp-pg-225  Acceleration lane-pg-225  Merging area-pg-225  Steps for entering-Make sure you search for gaps in traffic and adjust your speed to match the flow of traffic. You might have to speed up or slow down. Pg 226  Entrance ramp problems-If you make an error and enter the wrong entrance ramp, continue onto the expressway. Drive to the next exit. Never back up on an entrance ramp or on an expressway. Pg-227

 Acceleration lane problems-Make every effort to enter an expressway without stopping. Pg- 227  Entrance ramp on the left-Since this lane is usually used for high-speed traffic, the potential for conflict is greater than when you enter from the right. Pg-228

 Apply the I.P.D.E. process-pg-229  Lane choice-Law in Illinois, you can only drive in the left lane for a mile without passing. Drive further than a mile, you can get pulled over. Generally safer to stay in the right lane. Pg-230  Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings-Some overhead signs tell you if lanes are open or closed to traffic. Green arrow-lane open, yellow arrow-closed ahead, red arrow-lane already closed.- pg

 Minimum speed limit-The lowest legal speed you can drive under ideal conditions. Pg-231  Common speed-Speed used by most drivers. Sometimes the common speed is above the maximum speed limit. Resist the temptation to increase your speed to keep up with faster vehicles. Pg-231  Wolf Packs-Bunches of vehicles-picture on 231  Following Distance-Increase your following to 4 seconds if conditions are less than ideal. Know the 8 bulleted items on page 232.

 Lane Changing-Change lanes one at a time. Signal every lane change. Pg-233  Passing and Being Passed-Make these actions automatic when you pass-signal your lane change and check your blindspot. Pg-234.

 Deceleration Lane-An added lane in which to slow your vehicle. Try not to decelerate until you are off the expressway. Pg-235  Exit Ramp-the ramp leading off the expressway. Pg-235  Ramp Overflow-Rather than joining the overflow and risking a rear-end collision, go past the exit and use the next exit. Pg-237

 Highway Hypnosis-Inattentive, drowsy state. Pg- 238  Velocitation-Unconsciously driving too fast. Pg- 238  Expressways through cities-Know the four bulleted items on page 239.  Disabled Vehicle-Pull as far as possible onto the shoulder or the median. Pg-239  If you have cell phone call for help. Pg-239  Cruise control-Driving long distances on rural interstate highways can become monotonous. Check your speed often. Set your cruise control. pg239

 Tollbooths-Rough sections of roadways are called rumble strips. These are rough sections of roadways to warn you of a tollbooth and to slow down.  Know what an express lane is. Discuss where you will see them. Example-St. Louis.