Driving on
Expressways
Chapter 11
Characteristics of Expressway
Driving
Name five reasons
expressways have lower
collision rates than other
highways.
 Cross traffic is eliminated
 Expressways have a median
or barrier between opposing
lanes of traffic
Lower Collision Rates
 Pedestrians, non-motorized
vehicles, and slow-moving
vehicles are not permitted on
most expressways.
 Wide shoulders and extra-wide
underpasses provide good
escape paths.
 Expressway signs are designed
to help drivers anticipate
conditions well ahead.
Expressway Interchanges
 Trumpet Interchange
Expressway Interchanges
 Cloverleaf Interchange
Expressway Interchanges
 Diamond Interchanges
Expressway Interchanges
 All-Directional Interchange
Strategies for Driving on
Expressways
 Travel at about the same
speed as other vehicles
 Conform to posted minimum
and maximum speed limits
 Have your headlights on at
all times so that you are
more visible to other drivers
Expressway Strategies for
Short Distances
 Have a travel plan
 Know the name, route or
number for both entrance and
exit ramps you will use
Express Strategies for Long
Distances
 Plan stops for food, fuel,
and rest
 Make every effort to stay
alert, use the IPDE Process
constantly and be aware of
traffic conditions in all your
zones at all.
How to Enter An Expressway
Properly
 The entrance ramp gives
you time to evaluate zone
conditions and determine
the best speed as you
prepare to enter the
expressway.
Expressway Entrances
 The acceleration lane is
usually long enough for you
to search for a gap in which
to merge and accelerate to
the speed of traffic on the
expressway.
Expressway Intersections
 The merging area is the third
part of an expressway entrance
where vehicles blend into the
expressway traffic. Evaluate
how much time and space you
have in your open front zones
for merging into the flow of
traffic. Try to merge at the
same speed as the vehicles in
the nearest lane.
Entrance Ramp Problems
 Entering the wrong entrance
ramp
 Other vehicles
 Restrictions on line of sight
to expressway
 Signs
 Acceleration Lane Problems
Entering From the Left
 What some problems of
entering the expressway
form the left?
 Faster traffic
 Blocked view due to head
restraints, roof, walls
 Harder to see smaller cars,
motorcycles
When Should the 3-Second
Rule Be Increased?
 Following a
large vehicle
that is blocking
your vision
 Following a
motorcyclist
 Driving in bad
weather or
roadway
conditions
 Driving in heavy
traffic
 Being Tailgated
 Driving a heavy
vehicle or
pulling a trailer
 Operating a
motorcycle
 Entering or
Exiting an
expressway
Lane Changing
 Change lanes one at a time
 Check traffic in outside and
rearview mirrors as well as blind
spot
 If your path is clear, accelerate
gently and move to the next
lane
 Cancel your signal once you
have changed lanes
Exiting the Expressway
 Look of the Green guide sign
and about half a mile from the
exit, signal and be in the lane
closest to the exit
Exiting the Expressway
 Try not to decelerate until you
are in the deceleration lane
 Move to the deceleration lane
and cancel your signal
 Slow gradually and keep a safe
space cushion ahead and behind
you
 Identify the ramp speed limit
and whether or not you will
need to yield or stop
Highway Hypnosis
 What is Highway Hypnosis?
 When you have been driving
for a long period of time you
may be lulled into an
inattentive, drowsy state
 More than 100,000 collisions
in the US each year are
caused by sleepiness
Velocitation
 What is Velocitation?
 Velocitation occurs when
hours of driving fools you into
thinking your vehicle is
traveling slower than it really
is. You might then
unconsciously drive too fast.
Disabled Vehicle
1. Check rear zones and
signal. Pull as far as
possible onto the shoulder
or the median.
2. Turn on your hazard lights.
If the vehicle is not very
far off the road, get
everyone out and away
from the vehicle.
Disabled Vehicle
3) When it is safe to do so, raise
the hood and tie a white cloth to
the antenna or door handle. If
you have a cell phone, call for
help.
4) If you have emergency flares or
reflectors, set them out at least
500 feet behind your vehicle
when it is safe to do so.
Disabled Vehicle
5) Get back into your vehicle
and lock all doors. Ask
anyone who stops to assist
you to go to a phone and
call for help. Never get into
a stranger’s vehicle.
6) Do not stand in the
expressway to direct traffic
Tollbooths
 Tollbooths are apart of
driving in Illinois. When
driving on a “Toll Road” you
should:
 Carry money if you do not
have an I-pass
 Slow down to the designated
speed limit
 Beware of your surroundings
Using Expressways Safely
 The three key factors that
contribute to safe driving on
expressways are:
 Cooperation among drivers
 Concentration on the driving
task
 Use of the IPDE Process