Driving on the highway is different from driving in the city for a variety of reasons. In addition to the speed at which you’re moving, you’re also more likely to find yourself in proximity to larger vehicles.
Commercial trucks, for example, spend the majority of their time on the highway. It’s important to share the road with these vehicles, as neglecting to do so increases the risk of an accident.
Here are several highway driving safety tips to keep you out of trouble:
- Maintain a safe speed: A long stretch of highway often leads to thoughts of speeding, but don’t let this become a problem for you. The faster you’re driving the more difficult it is to maintain control.
- Watch your following distance: For example, you don’t want to drive a couple of feet behind a commercial truck. This makes it almost impossible to stop in the event of an emergency. Also, the trucker may not be able to see you.
- Stay in the right lane: The left lane is only for passing, so use it sparingly. The more time you spend in the right lane the safer you’ll be.
Also, stay alert at all times, as you never know if another driver will make a mistake, such as changing lanes without signaling.
If you’re part of a highway accident, move to the shoulder of the road and check yourself for injuries. Call 911 to explain what happened and request help. As you focus on your injuries and treatment, look into the many ways you can hold the negligent driver responsible for causing the crash.
