Help! what do i need to know about driving on the freeway?

Question

i've never driven on the freeway before, but today i HAVE to because i have to pick up my boyfriend at the train station. he doesn't know ive never been on the freeway before, so i need to look natural. what are some key things i should know about getting on and off, etc?

Answer 1

When entering the freeway you are the vehicle merging, which means you need to yield to the traffic on the freeway. When on the freeway just keep up with the flow of traffic and remember its not a race. When exiting the freeway you are the right of way vehicle, and the vehicle on the feeder street should yield to you.

Just take your time and be patient...I'm sure you will be fine.

Answer 2

Just drive the way you were taught and obey the speed limits and don't pay attention to the jerks that give you the finger and blow their horn at you. Keep your cool and you will do just fine.

Answer 3

well hes in for a surprize.. sorry but its something you can learn in a day or two... best to drive like everyone esle use your light to let others know what you are going to do before you do it... speed up getting on so down just after you leave stay out of the left lane unless your passing stay in the middel or right lane when you know you have to get off when you see the sign then its time to move over into that lane... move with the flow dont tail gate

Answer 4

You picked a bad time to learn how to drive the freeway.  That should have been done in driver's ed.  Everyone has some good tips about merging, etc.  This happens to be "amateur" season, so don't feel too bad at looking foolish or stupid.  

There are many fellow motorists who are on vacation or visiting your part of the country.  They are unfamiliar with the roads, so they will do things, like come right off the shoulder without building up any speed, make sudden lane changes, etc.  Please have plenty of patience & watch for them.  

Have your route with roads, exit numbers, landmarks, etc. mapped out before leaving home & write it down where it will be handy to look at.    In addition, most interstates have either state or US routes that parallel the main road.  If the freeway is making you too nervous, consider running these parallel roads.  There will be towns, traffic lights, etc., & you won't make as good of time, but you won't have to worry as much about all the other drivers.  Good luck!!

Answer 5

Don't slow to a stop at the top of the ramps - speed up so you're going at least as fast as everyone else is - or maybe even a little faster - you can merge into traffic easier and so can everyone else behind you.

Answer 6

Use the on ramp to build up to the correct posted speed limit on the freeway.

Use your turn signal and realize that trafic entering the freeway is the one that must yield to traffic already there.

Don't enter at a slower speed than is posted, this causes some real problems! once on the freeway, turn off your signal and drive with the flow of traffic.

It is a good idea to move one lane to the left so that other cars entering the freeway have a chance to merge as well.

Once you are close to where you need to exit, signal right, wait till you have a safe opening and change to the right lane.

Shut off your turn signal.

Then when your exit is near, signal right and exit.

Remember that on the freeway the far left lane ( in america) is for faster moving traffic or people driving a longer distance.

Answer 7

Pace yourself while on the ramp so that you "fit in" to traffic coming.............build up your speed as you enter the roadway from the ramp and signal to wake the other drivers up to the fact that you are "merging"........Unless there is a yield sign, this is a "merge" area which means both the driver already on the highway AND you have to accommodate each other in order to blend in successfully, so don't stop...........Sometimes the other driver can't make a lane change to let you in, so you will have to crawl along until they pass and then fit in, and sometimes they just don't have the presence of mind to move over.

Once you are on the highway, maintain a good following distance and look well ahead for hazards.........don't pass anyone due to your lack of experience, and stay in that right lane until you get to your exit................when exiting, check your rear view mirror, signal earlier than when in town, don't slow down until your car is completely in the exit lane, and then you can BREATHE agaiin.........lol

The second time will be easier, but each time traffic will be different so always shoulder check just before you merge to ensure your safety.