Driving on a highway needs additional skills. The person behind the wheel should know how to safely drive and manoeuvre among fast-moving vehicles. There are many basics of highway driving that a motorist should know to prevent safety risks and law violations. Among the key highway-driving basics is knowing how to safely enter and exit a highway.
Reading the speed-limit signs, learning about switching lanes and getting on and off the ramps, there’s plenty to know. Let’s walk through some useful tips in this regard.
How to Safely Enter and Exit a Highway: Key Things to Know
First, we’ll discuss the right way to enter a highway through some tips and strategies.
How to Merge with Highway Traffic: Step-By-Step Tips
Determine the Highway Traffic Speed
One of the basic freeway entering and exiting tips is speed synchronisation. The driver either builds up or reduces the speed while merging with the traffic. By matching the speed of highway vehicles, motorists avoid the risks of different types of car accidents. Moreover, the vehicle speed should be according to the prescribed highway speed limit to avoid any traffic violations.
Look for a Gap
This tip is crucial for getting on a highway during rush hour. Understanding the traffic flow is one of the key highway driving tips. Look for a safe gap to merge into ongoing traffic. Use the rearview mirror and then the driver’s side mirror to locate the gap. Also, keep an eye on the road ahead to see if someone ahead has slowed down or stopped. It’s important to maintain a safe following distance is important to avoid the tailgating offence.
Never Merge Abruptly
When moving at high speeds on a highway, motorists have little time to react and avoid accidents. That said, safe and cautious manoeuvres from the oncoming traffic can help avoid hazardous mishaps.
Vehicles moving in on a highway can ensure safety by avoiding merging abruptly. Drivers, regardless of driving on the highway or the streets, should practice safe driving etiquettes in the UAE to avoid getting penalised.
Moreover, make sure the turn signal is on and visible to the highway traffic. Another thing to avoid when entering a highway is lane swerving. It is a discouraged driving habit that can land motorists in hot water.
Motorists should know the techniques for safely entering and exiting highways. After exploring the highway entry precautions, let’s discuss some safety tips for preparing to exit a highway.
Instructions to Exiting a Highway: Safety Steps to Follow
Locate the Highway Exit Road or Ramp
It’s better to plan your highway exit strategy to maintain safety. Someone new to a highway or freeway route can locate the exit using a navigation system. Knowing the exact location of the highway exit will help motorists control their speed and change lanes timely. Besides, adherence to safe and cautious habits is mandatory on every major highway in the UAE.
Change Lanes Cautiously
Upon spotting the exit sign, start preparing to change the lane. Keep an eye on the traffic coming from behind. Also, be aware of the regulations regarding lane discipline in the UAE. However, be vigilant when making the move towards the highway exit direction to avoid missing it. It is a key step to exiting a highway in a safe manner.
Missing a highway exit means a longer trip, unnecessary tool fees and more fuel consumption. Besides, before getting on a road trip, motorists should also be aware of the latest fuel prices in the UAE.
Check the Side Mirrors
Shifting from a fast-moving lane to a slow-moving lane, relying on the driver’s side mirror can ensure safety. Check for any vehicles coming from behind to plan to manoeuvre accordingly. Moreover, these lanes are often used by emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, police cars or fire tenders.
A cautious approach can help avoid motorists any risk of collision. Besides, many modern cars now come with cutting-edge blind spot monitoring systems that can also timely alert the driver.
Don’t Get Onto the Hard Shoulder
While exiting the highway, some motorists might be tempted to use the hard shoulder as it’s free from traffic. That said, it’s important to know that it’s prohibited to drive on these lanes unless there’s an emergency.
Hard shoulders can either be used by ambulances as a safe passage or by vehicles for emergency stops. Violating the hard shoulder rules in the UAE would mean an AED 1,000 fine with six black points.
Safely Drive on the Exit Ramp
Upon making it to the highway exit ramp, keep a close eye on the speedometer. Since highways are built on elevated platforms, exit ramps often go downhill. Engage brakes if necessary in case of increasing speed. It is a key tip on how to exit a highway or freeway safely.
Once at a safe height, adjust the vehicle speed according to the limit prescribed for the road ahead. Highway exit ramps can also lead to an intersection or a roundabout. In such a case follow these tactics to drive around a roundabout in the UAE to ensure safety.
FAQs
What is the highway speed limit in the UAE?
According to the law, the general UAE speed limit for a highway is between 60 km/h to 120km/h. However, the speed limit can vary from lane to lane on different roads.
How to drive safely on a highway?
Motorists need to be vigilant and avoid distractions amid fast-moving traffic. However, it’s also important to be aware of a medical condition called highway hypnosis. Knowing about highway hypnosis will help motorists take necessary precautions to prevent developing its symptoms.
These were some of the key tips on how to safely enter and exit a highway. Besides, motorists should learn about all the UAE traffic signs to drive responsibly and cautiously.
Aspiring car owners should also factor in all the aforementioned aspects of driving in the Emirates. Once ready to get behind the wheel, buyers can pick from these pre-owned vehicles for sale in the UAE. There are a plethora of makes and models available.
For more tips for freeway entry and exits when driving on a highway, keep reading dubizzle Cars’ blog.
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