Driving in Cities, Rural Areas and Expressways

Driving in Cities, Rural Areas and Expressways

While driving in a metropolitan area a driver will encounter numerous intersections and crossing traffic. The may be detours, irregular traffic lanes and possible road defects. There will be other roadway users such as pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency vehicles. There are also more sight obstructions and typically heavier traffic.

With these thoughts in mind, here are some important ways to scan the roadways when driving in a city.

• Scan the roadway 1 to 2 blocks, or 10 seconds ahead, and from one side of the road to the other.
• Never concentrate on the vehicle directly ahead.
• Activate the vehicles low beams headlights, even during daylight hours.
• Check the vehicle’s review mirror and outside mirrors whenever approaching an intersection or when slowing or stopping your vehicle.
• Always signal any intention to change lanes or make any turns.
• Pay special attention for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Stay alert for emergency vehicles.
• Watch for warning signs and pay attention to speed limit signs as they may change often in the city.
• Watch out for entrances and exits from buildings or parking garages.

Driving in rural areas has its own special hazards. Rural roads may have hills, curves, and there may be different types of road surfaces. Poor shoulders are a possibility and there may be ditches on the sides of the roads. Open country roads many times have higher speed limits and fewer controls. A driver may encounter slow moving vehicles. Trees, bushes, weeds, and tall crops can all obstruct a driver’s view. A driver may also encounter animals on the roadway.

Utilize these tips for scanning when driving in the country:

• Activate the vehicles low-beam headlights even in the daylight.
• Scan 20 to 30 seconds ahead or up to the next hill or curve.
• Scan for objects in the roadway or to the side of the road that are 12 to 15 seconds ahead and start taking immediate action.
• Always obey the posted speed limit.
• Maintain the proper following distance from any vehicle ahead.
• Always activate the vehicle turn signals before changing any lane, stopping, or passing.

There are some drivers that believe travelling on the interstates is much easier than driving in the country or cites and therefore let their guard down and do not pay as much attention to the task of driving. This can be a very dangerous decision.

Here are some tips for driving on interstates:

• Scan 20 to 30 seconds ahead and pay attention to vehicles not only on your side of the highway, but also the vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.
• Check the review and outside mirrors approximately every 5 to 10 seconds.
• Pay special attention when approaching exits and entrances.
• Always activate the vehicle turn signals when changing lanes.
• Turn on the vehicle’s headlight.
• Watch the vehicle ahead not just the vehicle in front, and start to react early if there is a potential hazard.
• Always maintain the recommended following distance.
• Stay out of the “No Zone” of large vehicles.