These 7 Tips Will Help You Stay Safe on the Highway

These 7 Tips Will Help You Stay Safe on the Highway

Having access to a vehicle makes it easy to travel, but driving is a significant responsibility. Automobile accidents remain one of the leading causes of death in the United States. One of the most dangerous locations for driving is the highway.

Since people travel at such high speeds, the risk of serious injury in the event of a collision or other accident is quite significant. For that reason, it is important to exercise extreme caution while traveling on a highway.

Some tips to keep in mind when it comes to keeping yourself and fellow drivers safe on the highways include:

1. Travel at an appropriate speed.

The speed limits for highways can vary considerably and you need to keep track of the number where you currently are. In Texas, speed limits on highways can go up to 85 miles per hour. While it is tempting to travel at these speeds, it is not always safe to do so.

For example, in inclement weather, traveling at the speed limit is not safe. You will need to slow down to ensure you maintain control of your vehicle. Avoid speeding and drive below the speed limit when the driving conditions call for it.

2. Keep distance from semi-trucks.

When you drive on the highway, you will likely share the lanes with a number of semi-trucks. You need to learn how to drive safely around these large vehicles, which often have quite limited visibility. Give these trucks a lot of room when you pass and merge. Also, always use a blinker when trucks are around so the drivers can anticipate your intentions.

People often follow semi-trucks so closely that the drivers do not actually see them. As a rule of thumb, look for the large side mirrors on the doors of the truck. If you cannot see these mirrors, then the driver likely cannot see you.

3. Maintain good visibility for yourself and others.

Keeping safe on the highway means ensuring you can always see exactly where you are going. Invest in high-quality wiper blades, such as Trico products, and replace them as necessary so you can always keep the windshield clean. Don’t forget to change your rear wiper, too, if your vehicle has one, so that you can see behind you.

Whenever the daylight starts to fade, turn on your headlights so that other drives can see you clearly. In addition, it is a good idea to have your lights on whenever adverse weather conditions develop. Figure out how to turn your car’s fog lights on to maintain maximum visibility.

4. Pay close attention to the road.

If you are traveling long distances on the highway, it can be easy to get distracted. Don’t let your mind wander: stay focused on what is going on around you. Even if you are just traveling a short distance, you need to minimize the distractions in your vehicle. Do not eat or check your phone while driving as even a split second of distraction can result in an accident.

If you pay attention to the road, you can start anticipating potential obstacles or the behavior of other drivers, which is key to defensive driving. Whenever you feel like your attention is waning, take a break to refresh yourself.

5. Avoid staying in the left lane.

Many drivers will move to the left lane of the highway as soon as they join traffic as this is typically the lane that moves the fastest. However, the left lane is intended as a passing lane. In general, you should avoid driving in the left lane unless you are actively driving around a vehicle that is moving slower than you.

In some states, there are laws on the books about not driving in the left lane and sometimes signs indicating this are posted on the highway. In these states, highway patrol officers may actually pull you over and give you a ticket for traveling in the left lane without reason.

6. Do not tailgate other vehicles.

When you are driving on the highway, getting tailgated is extremely stressful. Just as you do not like getting tailgated, other drivers do not like it when you tailgate them. Leave adequate space between you and the driver ahead of you. If that driver stops suddenly, you need to give yourself enough space and time to react.

In general, you should have at least three seconds between you and the vehicle that is in front of you. You should increase following distance if the roads are wet or otherwise slick to ensure you can stop without a collision.

7. Wear your seatbelt at all times.

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself on the highway is wearing your seatbelt. Insist that all passengers also wear theirs, too. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts helped saved almost 15,000 lives in 2017.

While 90 percent of Americans wear their seatbelt, some people still do not take the risk seriously and may not always put it on when they enter the car. Be sure that everyone stays safe by not moving the vehicle until everyone has the seatbelt on properly.

About the Author

A native of the tri-state area, Patrick James Smith has cultivated a lifelong love for travel during trips for work and leisure alike. In planning for his travels, he has become well-versed in the art of travel hacking and utilizing credit card rewards points to book free vacations around the globe.