In these states, you MUST use the lane until it ends the end marks the beginning of the merging area. In some states, signage prohibits crossing a gore area, in others special striping is used (double parallel white lines). Be careful to always make a visual head-check (not just mirrors!) before changing lanes or merging.īe aware that it is often illegal to cross a freeway "gore area." This is the triangular-shaped zone formed by the single or double white lines of an on or off-ramp as it connects with the through traffic lanes. Traffic merging onto a freeway must yield to traffic already on it, but at the same time, competent, courteous drivers will make room for others to merge. If you accelerate to a proper merge speed, you can merge safely, and the existing traffic will be more likely to accommodate your entry. Do not drive to the end of the ramp and slow to a crawl or stop while waiting for a "break" in traffic. Do not be tentative about accelerating to highway speed-the most significant danger is that caused by disparate vehicle speeds. Using a crossover to turn back is an extremely dangerous move, because you must enter the high speed traffic in the left laneĪ properly designed freeway on-ramp gives you the space to gain freeway speed before entering the traffic flow. Crossover roads are for official use and emergency vehicles only. If you miss a ramp or need to go back for some reason, you have no choice but to proceed to the next exit and then double back. It is illegal to back up on a freeway, and you may not cross a median. Please give them a WIDE berth, for their safety. Imagine yourself standing beside the freeway, with traffic less than 3 feet away passing you at 75 mph. ![]() If you are approaching a vehicle stopped along a freeway, or a pedestrian, PLEASE change lanes to the left as you pass by. ![]() If you leave an unattended vehicle along a busy freeway, you can expect it to be towed by the authorities pretty quickly. The shoulder of a busy freeway is a very dangerous place. Emergency stops are permitted, but you must take extra care. This includes the roadway itself, the shoulder, the off and on-ramps, and the median-anywhere on freeway right-of-way. For this rule, I'll call them "freeways" for the sake of simplicity.įirst, there are forbidden actions. Depending on your location, they may be called freeways, expressways, or "the super-slab," but no matter what you call them, the standard operating procedures are the same. The high speeds of controlled-access highways and the density of traffic on them require a special set of operating rules.
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