Canadians are known to be safe drivers and our road infrastructure ensures there are fewer accidents. Yet, there is always scope for improvement. When you are out there exploring the beautiful Canadian countryside with your family, its best that you are always safe behind the wheel. Learning safe highways driving is the key to having a perfect holiday. So, here are some tips for safe highway driving.
Before you begin
Always remember to keep your smartphones fully charged. Also, check adequate fuel levels in the car. Make a list of fuel stations on your route. Check tool box and the spare tyre. All the documents related to the car and driving license must also be checked.
Stay within speed limits
Highways speed limits are set up after careful planning. Crossing those speeds can be dangerous especially if the road has many curves. Remaining within enforceable speed limits gives you adequate time to think in emergency situations. Avoid excessive honking and overtakes should be planned carefully.
Tankers and Trailers
Fully laden tankers and trailers are usually driven at high speeds on highways due to strict time schedules. Wait for a signal from them in case you want to overtake. They can blink their lights to let you pass. Be extremely cautious of their length during overtaking.
Keep to the Lane
When you have overtaken a vehicle, immediately return to your lane ahead of the vehicle. Do not stay in between the lanes and ensure that you remain firmly within your lane. Always be alert and keep a safe distance between vehicles.
Less Visible Humps
Sometimes, roads connecting to the highways have small speed humps that are not well maintained. These should be approached at low speed due to their visibility. Moving over them at high speeds can cause your vehicle to skid or lose control.
Read the Signs
Highways have many signs along your entire journey. Make sure that you do not miss the vital ones pertaining to speed limits, intersections ahead, turns, bridges, and many more. While on the highways that is narrow, you should always ensure that the oncoming driver is not blinded by your car’s headlights. Turning on headlights during dusk can also cause discomfort to other drivers.
Winding Roads
Driving on windy roads with many curves is tricky to say the least. Do not stray away from your lane when approaching a curve. This can cause head on collision since both drivers cannot see each other. Good brakes can come in real handy on such roads. If you are unable to approach curves properly, slow down the speed a few notches. While negotiating hairpin bends during a climb up a hill, stick to inner side of the lane and give suitable space for oncoming vehicle to pass.
Handling Fatigue
Highway driving can be tiresome. Fatigue creeps in while driving long distances. This can cause errors and in extreme cases, even accidents. Take a break while driving and enjoy some light coffee or refreshments every 2-3 hours. In case there are 2 drivers, its best to switch.
These are some highway driving tips that will always help you enjoy a safe journey. At Universal Driving School Calgary, we teach our students how to navigate the Canadian roads and highways in their daily commute. Enroll and learn many more tips that will add a safety net to your journeys.