The most important advice
on
freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway.
If
you have a clear view
of
the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect
to
blend with the flow, Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with
the
traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit
or
to the prevailing rate
if
it’s
slower. Stay
in
the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder
to
make sure there isn’t another vehicle
in
your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move
to
the proper
lane well
in
advance. If you miss your exit, do
not,
under any circumstances, stop and back
up.
Drive on
to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed
is
usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think
you
are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving
on
a
Long
Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
--
such as after a day’s
work
--
don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of
the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive
in.
Is
your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep
it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go.
If
it
needs
service, have
it
done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts
in
GM
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help
if
you need it.
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