Safe driving on Expressways

T. Perinpanayagam

Driving on expressways is easiest and comfortable. Drivers travel at a much higher speed than on normal roads. Drivers who have never driven on the expressways will find it a new experience. Accidents on the expressways are due to driving at high speed without considering their safety and that of other road users,

Drivers need to be alert and positive in any emergency encountered while driving on expressways. Expressways are not the place for high speed driving. Expressways are built for the convenience of all drivers. Remember the following factors when travelling on expressways.

Drivers must be cautious on expressways

Before driving on expressways;

a) Plan your route and follow directional signs.
b)Make sure that the vehicle is in good working condition.
c) The vehicle must be serviced before being driven on the expressways.
d)The tyre should be in good condition with the correct air pressure. The air pressure must be higher when the vehicle is travelling long distance or when the loads heavy/full.
e) Drivers must wear seat belts and be seated in a comfortable manner behind the wheel.
f) Use sunshield when in need, sold in car shops.
g) Wear shoes when driving and avoid wearing slippers.
h) Do not load the vehicle with too many passengers or goods.
i) Make sure the vehicle doors are locked and all passengers wear the seat belts.
j) Make sure your battery is fully charged.
k) Lights - keep them clean and check the bulbs regularly
l) Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition and the side mirrors.

Carry emergency equipment including;

(a) First Aid kits, (b) Blinker lights, (c) breakdown signs, (d) gloves, (e) portable fire extinguisher (f) gloves (g) chalk pieces, (h) black and yellow plastic tape 50 metres.

Essential tips to drivers using expressway in the event of a breakdown

Road shoulders in the expressways are meant exclusively for breakdown vehicles, leaving, parking and driving on expressways shoulders are strictly prohibited.

For exceptional circumstances a vehicle may remain but not longer than necessary in the event (a) mechanical breakdown, (b) accident (c) an emergency which could result in a fire.

These vehicles should be moved to the road shoulders as soon as possible without causing undue delay to other traffic. Use emergency roadside telephone to inform the emergency services. Telephone No 1969.

Preventive action

The driver should give adequate warning to other motorists by switching on the hazard lights/parking lights place a blinker lights (Amber/Red lights) on the roof of the vehicle.

Open the trunk and load to warn all other vehicles approaching from behind/front place a breakdown sign 100 metres between the break down vehicle and the breakdown sign.

Do not remain in the vehicle. Get out of the vehicle using the doors on the left side. No part of the vehicle or load should project into the expressways. Report a traffic accident or other situations or incidents to the Police or other traffic authority directly or by means of an emergency telephone or similar device.

Speed limits

The speed limit along expressways are set at a higher level because these roads are designed to allow vehicles to travel within 100 kmph safely. Drivers are not expected to drive at the maximum speed but within the speed limit to ensure the smoother and faster flow of traffic.

Drivers to check regularly their speedometre while driving. The reading from the vehicle speedometre generally differs from the electronic radar speed gun detector used by the Traffic Police Officers due to the mechanical condition (worn tyres etc) of the vehicle. Electronic reading is accurate.

Drivers to take note of the road signs posted along the expressways to observe any change in the speed limit posted.

Drivers who stay too long in the slow lane will hamper the movements of the vehicles using the same lane.

Driving well below the speed limit in the outer lane (near the centre medium) is an offence.

Stopping distance

The stopping distance is relative to the speed of the vehicle it is travelling before the brakes are applied. In normal weather, the emergency stopping distance is about 80 metres for a car travelling at 80 kmph. In rainy weather it would be about 100 - 120 metres for stopping a car. Drivers should allow sufficient distance between vehicles. Set a safe distance for yourself from the vehicle travelling in front of you. In case the vehicle in front suddenly stops or breaks down; use the two second rule to ensure ample time to react.

Overtaking lane

This is the furthest lane from the shoulder or the outermost lane (near the centre medium). Except for overtaking, drivers should not travel on this lane. Drivers should return to their original lane once the overtaking a slower vehicle is completed and safe to do so. Always drive in the left lane. The inside lane is for overtaking. Ensure that there is sufficient space for you to return to the original lane after overtaking before starting to overtake another vehicle.

When you are sure that the outer lane is clear both in front and behind, accelerate and complete overtaking. Prior to overtaking/passing the front vehicle, toot the horn at a reasonable distance of about 40 to 50 metres behind the vehicle to indicate that you were in the process of overtaking. After having overtaken a vehicle you should ensure that you can see the overtaken vehicle in the rear mirror, before returning to the original have.

Lane discipline

On a two lane expressway (one way), the outer lane is the slow lane (near the shoulder) and the other lane is the fast lane for overtaking. Do not switch lanes or make sharp turns or brake abruptly. It is important for drivers to use the appropriate lane. If you wish to change lanes signal well in advance with the indicator lights. If you have missed the point where you want to turn off, it is advisable to miss the turning point, proceed further rather than attempting to turn and risking your life and that of other road users.

Merging into expressways and exit from side roads

Side roads are provided for merging and exit traffic. Guide lines/chevron and lane markings are painted with barricades at these points to guide motorists merging and exit into the main stream. Vehicles entering the expressways should accelerate quickly to bring vehicles close to the speed limit and merge smoothly in to the expressways traffic.

Rest areas

i. Designated rest areas are provided along the expressways for drivers to stop and rest.

ii. Observe the rest area traffic sign boards placed a few metres ahead of the rest areas.

iii.Slow down as you approach the rest areas to give way to drivers who may be leaving out of the rest areas into the expressway.

iv.The distance travelled are posted along the expressways enabling the driver to plan and decide their route or to stop at the next rest area to rest or answer a natural call. It is not advisable to drive on expressways non stop for more than two (2) hours, sleepiness and fatigue will set in.

Important tips

1. Do not switch on the hazard lights while driving.
2. Hazard light is only to warn other drivers when the vehicle stalls, disabled, break down or in case of an accident. Misuse is an offence.
3. When it rains, switch on the head lights and tail lights.
4. Avoid driving at night or during the rainy season.
5. Avoid driving in the afternoon, it is tiring. Drivers must make sure they have enough rest before they start to drive.
6. After two hours of continuous driving take a rest at the rest areas. Stretching exercises are recommended with a deep breath and continue with driving.

Hard shoulders

1. Hard shoulders are dangerous places (only 1.75 metres have been provided. This is hardly sufficient for a vehicle to stop in an emergency)
2. It is illegal to stop on hard shoulder except in an emergency.
3. You should never stop to go to the toilet or use a mobile phone, etc. Always drive to the next rest areas, services or exit.
4. Plan your journey in advance making sure you have enough fuel before entering or joining the expressway.
5. If an emergency forces you to stop, then follow the directional signs to places of safety to stay safe.
6. Pull on to the hard shoulder and park as far left as possible, near an emergency roadside telephone. Switch on your vehicles hazard warning lights.
7. Leave your vehicle immediately via the left hand door and make sure passengers too do the same.
8. Contact the expressway agency via the emergency roadside telephone. Emergency telephones are placed along the expressway displaying an arrow pointing to the nearest telephones. Always use these phones instead of a mobile phone and inform them where you are.
9. Stay well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder while waiting for help to arrive. Do not attempt to attend to any simplest repairs.
10. Before you join the carriageway after the breakdown build up speed on the hard shoulder and watch for a safe gap in the traffic.

Strong winds

High-sided vehicles are most affected by strong winds, but strong gusts can even blow a car. Keep well back and overtake with care.

Fog

Slow down and use dipped headlights. Use fog lights if visibility is seriously reduced but switch them off when it clears. Do not follow the lights of a vehicle in front. You may be too close to brake safely in an emergency.

Driving in bad weather

Rain - slow down. It takes longer to stop as spray will affect your visibility. Do not drive through deep lying surface of water. If you have to slow, slow down and drive through in first gear. Test your brakes when you come out to the other side.

When the roads are wet or raining make sure you slow down and keep well back from the vehicle in front of you. Use dipped head lights, so the other drivers can see you.

If your vehicle starts to skid

1. Depress the clutch. Do not brake.
2. Turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid
3. When the vehicle straightens steer along the road

Your vehicle

All vehicles on the road today contribute to climate change because their engine burns fuel and therefore produce carbon dioxide (CO2) every time you drive. You can easily reduce these emissions and save money too.

Hints to be noted

1. Check your tyre pressure, including the spare, underinflated tyres create resistance.
2. Roof storage greatly increases wind resistance.
3. Unnecessary loads add weight. Your engine has to carry the load.
4. Air conditioning is hard work for the vehicle and use more fuel.

Driving

1. Think and look ahead to spot hazards early and allow yourself time to react.
2. Stay at or within the speed limits.
3. Always accelerate smoothly.
4. Use your gears sensibly and efficiently selecting a higher gear as soon as possible without labouring the engine.
5. Idling your engine just wastes fuel and adds (CO2) carbon dioxide emissions.

Mobile phones and hand free phone

Mobile phones have many benefits. They provide security and can be a great help in an emergency. But tests have shown a driver cannot help being distracted by a phone call or text message. If you are distracted you will not register hazards or react quickly.

A conversation on a hands free phone is no less distracting than using hand held phone. It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone when driving. You will be fined Rs 500 as a fine in lieu of prosecution (spot fine) with six (6) driver improvement points recorded in your driving licence.

If you have a disability, you should remain in the vehicle, switch on your hazard warning lights and display the breakdown sign. Phone the emergency services of your location and making them aware that you have a disability.

Traffic police officers (expressways)

They will be on patrol duty 24 hours along the expressways to help out congestion and improve safety. They will manage incidents and help you if you have broken down and clear dangerous debris from the road. The Traffic Police Officers and the control centres will set some of the variable message signs that warn you of dangers or delays ahead.

Traffic Officers role is to minimize disruption, they will take charge at the scene of major incidents where there are serious injuries or it is a potential crime scene. They may need to close the road for an investigation to take place. The expressway authority will work with the police officers to get the road re-opened as soon as they can. Use an emergency roadside telephone to report an accident or an incident.

Road works

Road works are a place of work, and the people there deserve just as much respect you would expect at work.

When you are approaching road works

1. Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety.
2. Get into the correct lane in good time, do not keep switching lanes.
3. Concentrate on the road ahead, not the road works.
4. Be alert for works traffic leaving or entering road works.
5. Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front
6. Observe all signs - they are there to help you.
7. Respect road workers.

Motor vehicles prohibited from the driving or using on an expressway

1. Motor cycles except for the motor cycles used by expressway traffic police officers
2. Motor tricycles
3. Motor tricycle vans
4. Agricultural land vehicles
5. Hand tractors
6. Invalid carriages
7. Steam driven motor vehicle
8. Special purpose vehicle except with the permission from the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic.

Persons holding a learners permit shall not drive or use any motor vehicles fitted with a ‘L’ plate on an expressway.

The writer is Deputy Inspector General of Police Traffic (Rtd.), Director, Institute of Road Traffic Education (Sri Lanka)