How to Drive on the Interstate
Over 40,000 US roadway deaths per year is definitely a problem. We could put the blame on things like speeding or smartphone use but the greater problem is that we are not keeping enough following distance. While we should have at least three to four seconds of following distance what we are seeing is that a following distance of under one second has become the norm.
Our first step should be to ensure that we have proper following distance on entry ramps. This is especially important because vehicles on the interstate are often not practicing proper following distance which reduces their ability to make room. Because of this there is simply no option except for dangerous quick acceleration/deceleration or going on to the shoulder. As soon as we are on the entry ramp we should be making distance.
When everyone is practicing proper following distance merging is often effortless. We first look for a gap that we can fit into. We then adjust our speed so that we can fit into it and we make a safe merge. We can complain that drivers of semi trucks are not staying in the right lane in congested areas but this is dangerous when entering vehicles are consistently bumper to bumper.
Once we are on the interstate and approaching entry ramps we should leave extra room to accommodate entering traffic. This is especially important around large heavy vehicles. The main reasons for this is because they are slow to accelerate and decelerate, they need extra room to merge, they block vision of what is in front of and beside them, and they can do a lot more damage in a crash. We should set out to have as much distance from other vehicles as possible. Wolf packs are very dangerous.
There are many other situations where lanes end such as construction zones. When we see a sign saying that the lane is ending this is not the time to attempt to pass as many vehicles as possible. We should match our speed with the vehicles in other lanes, adjust our speed, and make a safe merge. Many jurisdictions are promoting zip merging(staying in both lanes until merge point) to reduce the length of backed up traffic. It helps a lot when traffic is significantly slowed. It also prevents the habitual, dangerous, high speed, last minute passing attempts.
There is a tendency for drivers to immediately merge in front of other vehicles after making a pass. One cause of this is that the drivers behind them are tailgating to invoke them to make the pass quicker. Tailgating is threatening and should never be done. We should ensure that there is plenty of room before merging after a pass. This should never be less than one second of following distance. We should try for at least two seconds. If a vehicle is struggling to make a pass we should slow for them. Additionally, bad weather conditions require more following distance. The same goes for low light conditions.
When we see danger ahead such as a vehicle stopped on the shoulder we should put our flashers on. This lets vehicles behind us know that there is danger ahead and to increase following distances so that there is room to merge into safe lanes. This is also not a good time for passing other vehicles. Putting flashers on when driving in a wolf pack with inadequate following distances could cause issues so it is important that we are trying to always maximize our distances from other vehicles.
One last thing that we can do to help make the interstates safer is to flash our headlights at vehicles that do not have their tail lights or headlights on when it is raining or dark out. The lives of the people in these vehicles are in danger. We should not flash our headlights when any vehicle is passing us because they may think it is a signal for them to merge back into the lane. More following distance is always better before merging. Flashing high beams during the day may be fine but should not be done after dark because it can be blinding to other drivers.
Besides not leaving ourselves enough travel time is that we collectively are not performing as a team. We are putting our own needs above the needs of others on the roadway which includes others’ need for safety. Improvement on our roadways will require that many more of us start doing what is right to show the less experienced drivers the way. If we fail to do this safety on our roadways will continue to get worse and worse.
