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## EXPRESSWAY DRIVING 

“Expressway” means any divided highway where traffic moves in one direction on two or more lanes. You normally enter or exit the expressway on ramps (controlled-access). The speed limit is normally 55 mph (88 km/h), but can be posted at 65 mph (100 km/h) in some rural areas. Examples of expressways are the New York State Thruway, major interstate routes and parkways. 

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Before you travel on an expressway, identify your entrance and exit points on a road map. Know where to get on and off the expressway and be prepared to get into the correct lanes for your entrance and exit. If you enter an express- way going a different direction than you intended, or at the wrong exit, stay on the expressway until the next exit. After you exit the expressway, you can figure out where you need to go and (if necessary) get back on the expressway. IT IS DANGEROUS to back up on an entrance or exit ramp, or to try to cross a median. 

Unless there is a STOP or YIELD sign or traffic light on the entrance ramp, use the ramp to accel- erate to expressway speed and blend with traffic. Signal, then look over your shoulder for traffic already on the expressway. If necessary, slow down to safely merge into traffic. 

If the entrance lane is too short to allow accel- eration to expressway speed, the safest method to enter is to stop and wait for a large space in traffic. Then enter the expressway and accelerate quickly. To avoid conflicts with other entrance lane traffic, stop when necessary and merge into expressway traffic as soon as possible. 

As you drive on the expressway, make sure to signal all lane changes and check over your shoulder to make sure you will not cut off any vehicles behind you. Make sure your directional signal goes off after you change lanes. 

Remain alert for traffic that enters ahead. If possible, move from the right lane when you approach the entrances to allow more room for traffic entering the expressway from the ramp. 

To prevent a last-minute lane change, check the destination and exit signs and get into the correct lane for your exit ahead of time. Make sure to signal your exit at least 100 feet (30 m) before you reach the exit ramp. When you are on the exit ramp, decrease your speed. There is often a lower speed limit for the ramp. 

After you leave an expressway, look for speed limit signs and check your speedometer to be sure you are within the posted limit. You are not likely to be on a 55 mph (88 km/h) road. 

Expressway driving normally combines higher speeds with heavy traffic. The higher speed and amount of traffic require you to think faster and handle your vehicle in a more efficient manner than in most other conditions. On long trips, plan frequent rest stops. On a bright day, sunglasses can reduce glare and eye fatigue. 

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## NIGHT DRIVING 

About 90% of your decisions are based on what you see. At night, you must use extra caution to make up for reduced visibility. You should also know that the ability to see well at night decreas- es with age. 

Night driving is more dangerous because the distance you can see ahead or to the side is reduced. You should drive slower than you would in daylight, especially in areas that are not known or on narrow roads with many curves. Your head- lights cover about 350 feet ahead. It is important that you drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely within that distance. This is called “driving within the range” of your headlights. 

