Hazards on the Highway: Driving Safely
Driving requires you to observe and focus, especially when you are driving at high speeds like a motorway would require. Sometimes spending several hours on the same road each day can begin to get boring, and you let your guard down. Bad behaviours begin to appear when you start to feel bored while driving. It is necessary for you to keep alert assessing situations because they can change quickly, even dangerously, which requires quick reaction from you.
Not surprisingly the incorrect speed for road environment is the largest cause of accidents on the highway. Drivers with an excellent car going 70 miles per hour need 20 metres to react to a change in road conditions, and another 50 metres to bring the car to a stop. This example is based on having the tyres and brakes in perfect working order. Total it takes 70 metres or more for a car to be stopped in an emergency.
These increased stopping distances at motorway speeds demonstrate the need to maintain at least a two second gap between you and the vehicle in front. To gauge your distance, pick out a roadside marker and then count how long it takes your vehicle to reach it after the car in front has passed it by.
Unfortunately other drivers may not be as thoughtful as you. They may pass you just to fill in that gap. It can be frustrating and potentially dangerous, but it is still up to you to maintain the proper distance of vehicles in front of you.
Tailgating by another driver is a potential hazard you want to avoid. Whenever possible you should pull off the road and let the tailgater pass. You should not allow them to draw you into the same behaviour. The chances are the reckless driver will eventually cause an accident, and you do not want to be in the mix when that happens.
The traffic situation can change very quickly on the motorway and it is very easy to come across a traffic jam before you realise. Guard against this problem by making a conscious effort to look as far ahead as possible, and if you do spot a potential hazard consider switching on your hazard warning car bulbs to warn the drivers behind you.
Driving on the highway can lead to you feeling bored, thinking about more important things, and generally forgetting to pay attention because you may not have to steer or change gears as frequently. If you are driving for long periods of time you should stop every two hours. Stopping at a service location will help stop your feelings of tiredness, getting you refreshed for the next part of the journey. It can also help you relax.
There will be instances where you may have a greater distance to go before you can pull off for a break or stop for the evening. When this occurs there are some steps you can take to fight that tired feeling. You can either open your window or turn the air conditioning to a colder setting. Other options are to turn the radio up louder or talk with your passengers. If you are using cruise control you may turn it off to ensure you are concentrating more on the road and driving.
It is very easy to become complacent when driving on the motorway in a nice warm car listening to your favourite music. However you need to maintain your concentration and observation levels throughout the journey and be ready for any potential hazards when they occur, because when accidents happened on a motorway they happen very quickly and often with fatal consequences.