5 tips to help you drive safely on the highway

Bao Linh• December 23, 2018 16:55

Below are some methods to help drivers have safer and more confident journeys when traveling at high speeds on the highway.

Asia has seen tremendous economic growth in recent years, leading to rapid infrastructure development across the region. This has also meant that drivers accustomed to cramped roads are now able to travel at higher speeds on newly built highways.

However, driver training has not kept up with the changes taking place, and many drivers are still not fully in control of their vehicles on the highway.

Below are some methods to help drivers have safer and more confident journeys when traveling at high speeds on the highway.

Obey speed limits

Speed ​​limits on highways are generally higher than in cities and rural areas. For example, in Vietnam, the speed limit on highways is up to 120 km/h, while the speed limit in the city ranges from 50 - 60 km/h. This is not simply the speed limit before you are fined, but it is also the basis for us to move at a speed appropriate to the traffic flow and increase road safety.

Keep a safe distance

When following another vehicle, keep a safe distance and apply the “two-second rule” at speeds below 60km/h and the “three-second rule” at speeds above 60km/h or when travelling on motorways.

If the car in front passes an object (e.g. a tree), you should wait 2-3 seconds before passing it. Modern cars are equipped with advanced technology such as: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which can assist in emergency braking and steering at the same time.

However, we should still maintain a reasonable distance to give ourselves time and space to react. You can also take advantage of the features of driver assistance technology (DAT) such as: Adaptive cruise control (ACC) helps maintain a certain distance from the car in front when traveling on the highway.

Focus on observation

Keep your eyes as far ahead as possible to see what's going on - this is especially true on long motorways. If visibility is impaired by bad weather or a large vehicle in front, such as a truck or bus, you should keep an even greater distance than usual. The three-second rule should be extended to four to five seconds in these cases, so you should at least be able to see what's happening in front of the vehicle immediately in front of you.

Move with caution

Overtaking other vehicles is inevitable on the highway, but at the same time, you must strictly follow the “no overtaking” signs to be able to move safely. In right-hand drive countries like Vietnam, vehicles move on the right lane and overtake on the left. When overtaking, remember the following three operations: “Look in the mirror, signal, move”. First, check the mirror to observe the traffic situation behind or beside the vehicle. Then, signal with the signal light and move safely.

Drivers should also turn around and check their blind spots (areas that cannot be seen through mirrors) to avoid collisions. Some Ford vehicles are equipped with a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) that can help detect and notify drivers of vehicles that may enter the blind spot area.

Stop safely

Vehicles often travel at high speeds on the highway, so stopping in the middle of the road is extremely dangerous and is not recommended. If you need to stop, find the nearest exit and a safe place to pull over.

However, in case of an emergency such as a vehicle problem, try to pull over to the right side of the road and out of the traffic before stopping. Turn on your emergency stop lights and place a hazard warning sign about 50m behind your vehicle to warn the vehicles behind you. Also, always keep a contact list in your car that includes the phone numbers of emergency services or your local Automobile Association so that you can call for help if necessary.

With more and more highways being built across Asia, it is becoming more important to have the necessary skills and know how to handle highways. Highways can be a different challenge than driving in the city, but it doesn’t have to be a scary experience if you follow the tips above and practice safe driving habits./.

Bao Linh