driving free way?

Question

I've been driving for almost 2 yrs. already, yet I haven't drive the free way yet..I drive only local, and no one shows me how to drive on a free way..

I'm planning to practice driving on a free way this week for the first time of my life..

What's the diff. bet. driving a free way and local(the light)? How do you read the road sign on the free way? is it totally diff. from the local?

Any other advice?

I'm very nervous...

Answer 1

First, stay out of the left lane unless you're passing, unless you like people giving you the finger and yelling obscenities at you. The left lane is for passing, and one of the most common causes of road rage is people who stay in the left lane and hold up other traffic trying to pass. The police around here (Massachusetts) have begun to educate drivers about this, as it regards road rage.
___In most states the law or advisory is to keep right except to pass. But in heavy traffic, take whatever lane spreads out the cars on the road best. Many drivers prefer the center lane, but this screws up the flow of traffic a bit, too. But it seems to be pretty well accepted practice, and you won't have people giving you the finger in the center lane.
___The speed is faster on the freeway, and stopping distances increase geometrically with speed. So keep your distance from the car ahead. People may cut in front of you, but keep falling back. When you're more experienced on the highway, then you can tighten things up a bit, but until you make your first panic stop on the highway, assume that you're going to get a big surprise when you try to get 3-4,000 lbs. of metal going at 70 miles per hour to stop moving.
___Entrance ramps are not, in most cases, places to stop. Keep moving, and if you have to, stay in the breakdown lane until it's safe to change lanes. (About 1/4 mile of many breakdown lanes is marked as an accelerating lane, anyway.) So you won't be pulling in front of other cars (unless theres' an offramp close ahead, in which case other cars will be pulling off). So start looking at approaching cars while still on the ramp, before you get to the actual highway, and get a sense for where cars are, such as noting that there's a gap behind the green minivan, etc. When you're in the accelerating lane, use your outside rearview mirror to check oncoming traffic, and give a glance over your left shoulder.
___Use your turn signal before you change lanes. And check your blind spots carefully. Sometimes it's amazing just how blind a blind spot can be.
___Highway traffic often moves along at very similar speeds. Don't get in another driver's blind spots and stay there, because he might forget you're there and change lanes right into you. Usually this will take care of itself, because most drivers without cruise control vary their speed a bit.
___When you get off the highway again, you may find that you're so used to going fast that you underestimate your actual speed on the exit ramp and on local roads. So don't trust your gut, check your speedometer.
___Presumably you've driven over 50 mph in your 2 years' experience, so you know about how the steering is more sensitive at higher speeds. If you're not used to it, drive along in the right lane for a while at a slower speed until you get used to steering at speed without over-correcting.
___Know your route before you leave, and write simplified directions in large letters with any exit numbers and mileages between exits. You can find this out on most maps. You can also look at a satellite picture of the ramp, if it's in a complicated part of a city, on Yahoo or Google maps. You don't want to be fumbling around, not knowing where you're going, when you're moving at 70 mph, and not experienced.
___If you miss your exit, keep going and turn around at the next one. If you're not sure about whether an exit is the right one, remember that at most exits you can get right back on the highway again. But it 's not so easy at the intersections of 2 major highways. So know where you're going.
___Good luck.

Answer 2

wow lucky you for only staying on local roads. there is no difference except everyone is moving faster. all the signs spell out what you need to know the color is what is important. brown is local land marks so you really don't need to pay attention to them green is what is important they tell you how far until an exit and are also mark the exits. the only thing you need is just more experience, and know if you miss your exit you can just take the next one, don't cut off a bunch of people trying to get over. If you see that you have a about a mile until your exit you need to be in the right lane. that is about it. oh and blue signs are for hospitals and police stations so most of the time you don't need those just remember pay attention to the green ones and know your directions before you go so you don't have to keep reading them when you are driving

Answer 3

If there is someone who can take you onto the freeway while they drive so you can look at things - that will help you prepare.

Obviously, the speeds are higher - so you have to be prepared for that.

The part you need to be most careful at is getting on and getting off - PLEASE don't stop at the top of the merge ramp! You'll have trouble getting up to speed if you do. But do your best to adjust your speed to merge without getting in the way of the traffic that is already on the freeway.

Try practicing when it isn't too crowded (not during rush hour) This will give you more space between cars to give you a chance to get on and off.

Best of luck!!!

Answer 4

No, it's not radically different, except you are going faster.

Experienced drivers tend to stay on the left - the right side is for slow traffic and traffic getting on or getting off, but I consider it the most dangerous because of that (cars constantly merging). I usually get on the freeway, move to the left and stay there until it's time for me to get off.

There are no traffic lights, but it helps to look ahead - if you see a lot of cars braking, you should too - for whatever reason, everything's slowing down. Could be an accident, a police car, or just slowing down.

Other than that, it's fine. You usually get advance notice of exits - for instance "Exit 24, Anytown, 2 miles".

Good luck!

Answer 5

first, don't be nervous. though it can be a trying time, driving on any highway is not that much different than the local roads except for the speed factor. the signs on a highway are usually larger than on local roeds so you should have no problem. just be sure to follw your normal courtesy of the road and you should be fine. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

Don't be nervous! It is a little different, but once you get used to it, you'll probably prefer it! Especially for your first time, make sure you aren't driving on the highway during rush hour(between 6-9 AM and between 4-7 PM).

Answer 7

Umm...you've been driving for 2 years, and you haven't been on the freeway -- thats insane!

A few things that are different:
- Rate of speed
- breaking habits
- car dynamics
- signs sometimes harder to read because of rate of speed
- manueverability becomes harder depending of traffic
- Risk of accident increases
- Merging can be difficult at times

Best of luck pal!

Answer 8

Start when there is the least traffic. Try to be up to speed when you get on and watch the left side carefully.

Answer 9

Why don´t you ask a driving instructor?
Take a few lessons and You are up to date.

Answer 10

it is much easier