Driving on the motorway requires excellent observation and concentration skills because of the high speeds involved. However long periods of sustained motorway driving can become very mundane causing concentration levels to wane, and allowing bad driving habits to creep in. Therefore it is very important to constantly assess the road and traffic situation as they can change suddenly and quite dramatically, requiring quick and dynamic reactions.
Not surprisingly the incorrect speed for road environment is the largest cause of accidents on the highway. Drivers with an excellent car going 70 miles per hour need 20 metres to react to a change in road conditions, and another 50 metres to bring the car to a stop. This example is based on having the tyres and brakes in perfect working order. Total it takes 70 metres or more for a car to be stopped in an emergency.
The distance needed to stop a moving vehicle on the highway requires a 2 second space between vehicles. By using roadside markers you can count how long it takes you to pass the same marker the car in front of you just passed.
Unfortunately other drivers may not be as thoughtful as you. They may pass you just to fill in that gap. It can be frustrating and potentially dangerous, but it is still up to you to maintain the proper distance of vehicles in front of you.
You may also find a driver is dangerously tailgating behind you, do not be drawn into this reckless behaviour and so, as soon as it is safe to do so, pull in and let them pass by. Remember that someone who is driving that recklessly will very likely cause an accident and you want to be nowhere near them when that happens.
Traffic can change in the blink of an eye. Before you realise what is happening you can be in a traffic jam. There are ways to protect yourself against dangers when this situation occurs. By looking as far ahead as you can you will be able to see the potential issues that may arise. You can then switch on your hazard warning lights to warn other drivers.
When driving for long periods of time your mind may begin to think of other things, leaving the driving task on autopilot. You will not have to shift gears often, or even have much input on steering. It is best to combat these feelings with a break every two hours. Service station breaks allow you to stop the fatigue and relax before continuing on.
There will be instances where you may have a greater distance to go before you can pull off for a break or stop for the evening. When this occurs there are some steps you can take to fight that tired feeling. You can either open your window or turn the air conditioning to a colder setting. Other options are to turn the radio up louder or talk with your passengers. If you are using cruise control you may turn it off to ensure you are concentrating more on the road and driving.
It is a cinch to relax, listen to music, and feel warm while driving. You are still required to maintain a high level of awareness and observation throughout your journey. You need to be ready for any dangers that could suddenly occur. Accidents on the motorway are often quick and fatal when a driver is reckless or they begin to have a wandering mind.
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