Limited Access HighwaysLimited Access Highways

Driver Risk Prevention CurriculumDriver Risk Prevention Curriculum

State of New Hampshire Departments of Education

and Safety

Division of Program Support

State of New Hampshire Departments of Education

and Safety

Division of Program Support

10.01 Anticipatory Set

1. Open Slide 3 in slide show

2. Stare at slide 3 for 30 seconds

3. Go to slide 4 and focus on the white screen – what do you see?

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Limited Access Highways

Freeway Entrance

Rest Area

Exit 205

East 99th

2 Miles

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Pop QuizYou Need Paper & Writing Utensil

Ready?

1. List 3 aspects of freeway driving that make it easier to deal with than city driving?

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2. List 3 different types of expressway interchanges

Freeway Entrance

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3. Identify the three parts of the freeway entrance.

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4. If there are signal lights on the entrance ramp, youa. treat the red light as an advisory controlb. do not have to stop for the red lightc. must stop if any light is ond. must wait for a green light

Freeway Entrance

5. What is a “Weave” Lane?

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1. Right Lane

2. Center Lane

3. Left Lane

6. List the uses for each lane? 8989

7. How can you avoid becoming confused, missing your entrance or exit or getting lost?

Freeway Entrance

8. Do searching principles used in other environments also apply to freeway driving?

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9. Do space management principles used in other locations also apply to freeway driving?

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10. What should you do if a car is following yours too closely?

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11. What can it be like when you pass a large truck or a large truck passes you?

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12. Some actions are prohibited on Freeways. List 4.

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13. At what point will you reduce your speed when exiting the freeway?

Rest Area

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14. What is Velocitization?

Rest Area

15. Extra Credit Question!

What is Highway Hypnosis?

How can you combat it?

Let’s See How You DidEach Correct Answer = 4 Points

Let’s See How You DidEach Correct Answer = 4 Points

1. No traffic lights

2. No crossing traffic or railroads

3. No stopping or parking

4. No pedestrians

5. Limited access

1. Unlike City Driving

Other Characteristics

• High speed (up to 65 mph)• Divided by some barrier• Multiple lanes• Only for motorized

vehicles• Wide shoulders provide

good escape paths• Signs are designated to

help drivers anticipate problems well ahead

Freeway Entrance

Rest Area

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1. Clover Leaf

2. Diamond

3. Trumpet

4. All Directional

2. Types Of Interchanges

Entry A

Exit B

Exit D

Entry C

Which Curves Have a Decreasing Radius? Yes! A & C

Which Have Increasing Radius? Yes! B & D

Which Curves Have a Decreasing Radius? Yes! A & C

Which Have Increasing Radius? Yes! B & D

Cloverleaf Interchange

Diamond Interchange

Does the curve on this entrance ramp have an increasing or decreasing radius?

Yes! Increasing.

Does the curve on this entrance ramp have an increasing or decreasing radius?

Yes! Increasing.

Trumpet Interchange

All Directional

3. Freeway Entrance

Entry Ramp Acceleration Area Merge Area

1. Check Your Rear Zone2. Keep 4+ Seconds of Space in Front3. Slow On Ramp Speed4. Search For a Stable Gap To Enter

On Ramp Behavior

4. Reevaluate the Gap for Entry5. Signal Light On6. Check Blind Spot7. Accelerate Briskly – To Gap Speed

On Acceleration Lane

8. Precision Lane Entry9. Front & Rear Zone Checks10. Create Open Space

Merge Area – Highway Entry

5. Entrance & Exit

• Acceleration Deceleration Lane

• Conflicts can arise

• Entering traffic yields to exiting traffic

• Be courteous not competitive

6. Using The Roadway

Speed Limit Applies to All Lanes!

Right Lane: Enter, Exit & Slower Moving Traffic

Center Lane: Through Traffic

Left Lane: HOV, Passing & Volume Overflow

• Plan your route ahead of time

Know the name, route or number of both the entrance and exit you will use

• Read the signs

2 miles, 1 mile, ½ mile• For longer trips plan stops for food,

gas and rest

7. Avoid Confusion

• Find the LOS-POT conditions of your destination

• When you see a zone change check other zones for options

• Before entering 4 second danger zone reevaluate POT condition

• When you see a front zone change check the rear zones

• Check blind spot before changing lanes

• Search through curves and over hills

8. Yes! Find LOS-POT’s

Rear Zones

Target Area

Range

15 Second Range

4 Second Danger Zone

Target Area

Range

Target Area

Range

15 Second Range

15 Second Range

4 Second Danger Zone

4 Second Danger Zone

9. Yes! Manage Space

• Use steering acceleration, and braking controls to maintain vehicle balance

• Keep 4 or more seconds of following time

• Time arrival to keep open space to the side

• Precision lane changes • Evaluate curves to see if

speed reduction is needed

When you have a

tailgater…• Be Courteous• Allow faster moving vehicles to

pass• Move to the right lane• Be sure you have more than 4

seconds following• Going too slow can be as

dangerous as speeding!

10. Being Followed

11. Dangerous Gust

• Large trucks force air like a strong gust of wind

• Can push your car to the side

• See the rear zone change • Adjusting lane position to

the furthest edge of your lane will keep you out of the air stream

1. Do not enter freeway by any means other than an on-ramp.

2. Do not stop on the freeway unless traffic is stopped.

3. Do not park on the shoulder unless you have an emergency.

4. Do not back up.

12. Prohibited Behaviors

5. Do not drive on or across median, yellow

painted line, or raised dividing section

6. Do not attempt to make a U-turn or left turn

7. Do not use left lane except for passing or

when entering or exiting on the left is

required

8. Do not change lanes without signaling and

checking for an open gap

12. Prohibited Behaviors

1. Plan For Exit – Read Signs2. Move to the Right Lane Well in

Advance

Exiting The Freeway

Exit 205

East 99th

2 Miles

Exiting The Freeway

3. Get Rear Zone Status 4. Signal Early & Maintain Speed5. Test Brakes Before Exit in Wet Weather

Conditions

13. Exiting The Freeway

6. Enter Deceleration Lane 7. Controlled Braking in Exit Lane, Not in

Traffic 8. Beware of Velocitation, Use Your

Speedometer, Some Exit Ramps are Shorter Than Others

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Potential Exiting Problems

• “Weave” lane conflicts• Velocitation • Traffic stopped on the exit ramp• Short deceleration lane• Very slow ramp speed

Velocitization is the tendency to drive fast on city streets after getting off a freeway. You “feel” like your driving slower than you really are.

To combat it:Check your speedometer on the exit ramp

and use it often after exiting the freeway

14. Velocitization

The tendency to zone out or fall asleep when driving long distances!

Avoid it by: • Keeping your eyes moving• Changing seat position• Sing-along with the radio• Get some fresh air• Pull off the highway• Take rest breaks

15. Highway Hypnosis

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