Any tips for driving on the highway?

Question

Well (hopefully) this Thursday I'm going to drive to Orlando to go to Halloween Horror Nights. I live in Bradenton, and I'd be taking I-75 and then I-4 to get there. These are both 3 lane highways with a minimum speed of 50(which I will be going faster than) and a maximum of 70(which pretty much means 75-80 because EVERYONE drives super fast on both highways)

Well, I've been on both highways numerous times, but never as a driver. Just the other day was the first time I drove on the highway, and it was only to the very next exit. I'm comfortable with the speeds(I was going 75), but I was constantly worrying about the other people(plus all the giant trucks)

I'm worrying about next Thursday because I'm planning on leaving at 4:00pm, and it's about an hour I-75, and a half hour on I-4. So I'm pretty much going to be on the highway when people get off from work.

Do you have any tips on how to be more comfortable and to be safe while driving?

Answer 1

,Tips from a truck driver.......

In addition to all the previous advice (ALL of which is sound) here's some extras:

1/ Be well rested.  Truck drivers are legally obliged to exercise fatigue management procedures. Car drivers aren't and it shows -- ask panel beaters and para-medics!

2/ Anticipate,anticipate, anticipate. Plan your trip, your luggage stowage (secured and visibility), your stops, your lane changes and drive behaviour. Avoid sudden/ spontaneous plan changes.

3/ Expect every other road-user to be a lethal fool. Then when you encounter one, you'll be ready -- and live!

4/ Trucks can be your friend if treated with respect: they can ease your passage through traffic -- or complicate it if you don't. Truck drivers survive by observing a code of courtesies between themselves allowing plenty of space and notification of intentions. Do likewise and they'll assist you -- even radio-ing ahead for others to do so. Remember a 1 ton car against a 60 ton truck will never win.

5/ Drive within your own capabilities and those of your vehicle and road conditions. Don't insist on your "rights". It's not about who's right -- but who's left.

Enjoy and safe travelling!

Answer 2

well kesley just do like you been doing on the freeway just drive the speeed limi in dont yak on your cell while driing in eat food just pay attenion to what your doing in what the other driver are doing as well in make sure you have plenty of gas in your tank in make sure your tires have anough of air in them in all so

Answer 3

Give the big trucks plenty of space.

Don't tailgate anybody.

If someone is tailgating you, move to another lane and let them pass.

Be careful of speed traps.

Be mindful of any construction that is going on.

Most important...........BE CAREFUL OF THOSE CRAZY *** RUSH HOUR DRIVERS!!!!!!

Answer 4

Until you're comfortable on the highway, stay in the right lane, don't go much over the speed limit, and make a minimal number of lane changes.

Answer 5

Well first relax behind the wheel.  Don't get excitied.  Pick your cruising speed and try to stay with it.  Definitely watch ahead to see problems and try to keep a distance back from vehicle ahead so as to have room to brake if the worst happens ahead of you.  When nearing your exit (maybe the one before yours) get to the right and stay there (if possible) as in traffic you may not have time to get over if you leave it to the last few hundred feet.  

Otherwise keep check on your mirrors and watch the other vehicles for what they are doing.  The object is to watch and react before an accident happens rather than after the accident happens (of course that don't happen most times).



By keeping the speed about 10mph lower though you'll save fuel and have more time to react to any problems.

Answer 6

go the speed limit.

just drive, don't talk on the phone or try to be eating or drinking, just drive.

keep a cars length between you and the car in front.

use your mirrors, use your signals

if you are slowing down, gently tap the brakes so the people behind notice you slowing

if you have a passenger, ask them to also check for you before you change lanes

turn your head (quickly) before changing lanes to check your blind spot for cars

don't worry if people behind you are getting impatient, ignore them and just drive.

have your headlights on

have fun on  your adventure.

Answer 7

Relax have everything planned have a backup plan planned so if something happens you have another plan to fall back such as an accident blocking traffic.  Don't tailgate, leave at least one car length in front of you, make sure your mirrors are set for your driving, give trucks such as semis plenty of room and if you are passing them don't stay on the side of them sometimes you will end up in a blind spot and it could get really ugly.  Try to stay in the right lane, take your time, don't go over the speed if you can help it, if you see someone trying to merge on the freeway slow down and let them merge so you don't create an accident.  One time I took the freeway during rush hour with one of my bosses trucks but its kind of beat up so it doesn't drive as well as it should well no one would let me on the freeway I had to pull part of the truck on to the shoulder until I could find a spot to merge thankfully one person let me over.  If your not comfortable with leaving during rush hour leave earlier so you won't hit all that traffic from people leaving work.  Please be patient I've noticed one day I was running late for work and this one person was going so slow i got over and ended up putting my truck to the floor to pass them up which was stupid on my part, yet again they were doing 45 in a 70 which is dangerous and they were swerving from the from the lane to the shoulder repeatably.