EXPRESSWAY

Types of interchanges

Cloverleaf-Allows drivers to proceed in their direction on either highway

Trumpet

Used where a side road forms a T intersection

Diamond

Used when road with little traffic crosses a busy road

All directional

Used with complicated high volume traffic

On some entrance ramps you may encounter RED-GREEN lights to control the rate of merging…but most do not – LET’S CONSIDER A NORMAL MERGE

Merging

Merging

Listen carefully to the procedures concerning this merge…

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What is the purpose of the first head check…early on ramp?

Check the volume of traffic and their speed…

(so you’ll know how fast to accelerate)

-- stay back and let him merge…then you can quickly accelerate & complete your merge

What if there is a slow moving truck in front of you getting ready to merge?

Following a merging truck

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Look for a space to merge in...

What is the purpose of the second head check as the ramp begins to straighten?

…you are now building up speed--you should also…at this point:

…signal, mirror, head check left

…then a final head check and speed adjustments…

…but what will you do if you can not get over because other vehicles are preventing your merge?

If you cannot get in...you may have to USE PART OF THE SHOULDER until it opens up

Do not force yourself over and do not brake hard

(you could cause a rear-end crash)

In addition to merging onto this expressway… what else must you deal with?

- - uneven pavement

OTHER EXPRESSWAY

STRATEGIES

If you can, what is your best decision in this situation? What are other options?

Change lanes

Other options: speed up or slow down

Why is it best to drive in the center lane most of the time?

Stay away from mergers

At 55 mph do you think you are 2 seconds behind this vehicle?

- - not really… (use shadow of white car passing a white dash on pavement to calculate your 2-second interval)

Acceptable following distance at 55 mph

In heavy rain, why is it best to drive in the tire wipes of the vehicle in front of you?

- - reduces the possibility of hydroplaning

Rightfrontzone

Rightrearzone

Leftrearzone

Leftfrontzone

Rear zone

Front zone

Keep your blind spots open and stay out of theirs

What is the result

of tailgating

other drivers

???

On expressways check your mirrors frequently (about every 7-10 seconds)

…this passing car will soon enter your _______________

Can anyone read this ???

OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR.

Would it be safe to lane change now?

How should you pass up slower vehicles on an expressway?

Rather quickly so as to not linger in their blind spot…

(half of the drivers on the road do not regularly make head checks)

Is it safe to begin passing this large truck? --- not while there are brake lights ahead Is it safe to begin passing this large truck? --- not while there are brake lights ahead

You do not want to exit at Kirchoff Road… what must you do here?

Distance, direction & destination

What are the 3 D’s of green color signs?

Drop back and re-establish your proper following distance

Also as this car lane changes in front of you…what should you do?

Which number is the US route?

Which is the Interstate?

Which number is the US route?

Which is the Interstate?

Be aware of special messages…

…sometimes a 3 second following distance does not work effectively in heavy traffic…stay alert for brake lights several cars ahead…

…sometimes a 3 second following distance does not work effectively in heavy traffic…stay alert for brake lights several cars ahead…

This light is flashing yellow…what does it mean?

It will soon turn into a red X

(reversible lanes)

It will soon turn into a red X

(reversible lanes)

There’s a ramp on the right…is this a merge situation?

NO…it’s an adjoining lane situation

Adjoining lane

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Sometimes there are additional merges to deal with

…as this merge comes closer what must you be doing now…???

Yes…this speed limit is applicable only when weather and road conditions are good

(Basic Speed Law)

Yes…this speed limit is applicable only when weather and road conditions are good

(Basic Speed Law)

If you were traveling on this road, could you get a ticket for traveling 65 mph ?

If you were traveling on this road, could you get a ticket for traveling 65 mph ?

What are some important things to remember about the lane you are now in?

- carpool lane…must have at least two people in car…entering & leaving restrictions

What other vehicles must use the manual lanes ??? - Recreational campers & larger trucks

How much are the tolls in our area?What if you do not have ANY MONEY?

Any idea what this is ??? Video camera…records license number…WHY ???

You’re getting off at the exit ahead…beside signaling, what should you be doing about now?

You’re getting off at the exit ahead…beside signaling, what should you be doing about now?

Right shoulder head check

Same exit…you made your right head check and it is clear…what is

your next concern?

Slowing down enough to control the sharp curve of this ramp…

- - some ramps have very sharp curves (especially dangerous when pavement is wet or icy)

You are exiting up ahead but predict a conflict with the merging car…what is your decision

to avoid this conflict?

Slow down and let the car in…Slow down and let the car in… --you’re slowing down anyway to get off…--you’re slowing down anyway to get off…

while the van is speeding up to get onwhile the van is speeding up to get on

BUT…if there are many cars on the ramp while you are intending to get off…pick out two of them and try to maneuver yourself between them…

…also notice some exits may have a left exit instead of the usual right side exit…

When exiting pay close attention to multiple turn lanes...