Merging Tips for Highway Drivers in Evansville
Early last month in Owensboro, Kentucky, the entire parkway ramp to Highway 60 was closed down as crews cleaned up the aftermath of a wreck that occurred earlier that day. Officials reported that the driver of the semi truck was attempting to take the exit too fast. The semi then hit a guardrail and rolled down the hill. The driver had to be taken to the hospital.
These areas where merging occurs can be extremely dangerous for those entering and exiting a major highway. Here are a few general rules for merging so you can better read the situation and avoid accidents at these on- and off-ramps.
Create Gaps
When you are driving, particularly on busy roads, you should always remember that other vehicles may need to merge at any of the exit or entrance points you pass. Keep a gap between you and the vehicle in front of you at all times. This plays two beneficial roles in these situations. First, it provides space for any cars that needs to merge so that they can find room to do so. This keeps traffic going and prevents dangerous last-minute decisions. Second, in areas of heavy merging, the car in front of you might be forced to brake suddenly. This space provides you a little extra time to respond so you can avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front of you if sudden braking occurs.
Make Your Move Quickly
When you are merging onto the highway, you will need to find your own gap. Once you locate this gap, it is important that you make the move quickly before the gap tightens back up. Traffic situations can change in the blink of an eye. Be quick when merging into your new gap so that you do not inconvenience the drivers around you.
Adjust Your Speed Quickly
Once you have merged, adjust your speed quickly to match those around you. In most cases, highway traffic is between 60 and 70 miles per hour. If you are still driving at your merging speed of 40 to 50 miles per hour minutes after you merge, you could pose a danger to yourself and to the vehicles around you. In addition, when you are exiting, it is important that you decrease your speed quickly to take the ramp safely. Exit ramps can curve sharply and may be dangerous to take at highway speeds.
Help from an Evansville Car Accident Attorney
Whether you are driving a mile across town a thousand miles across the country, highway driving requires your full attention, especially while merging. If you were injured in a car accident because another person was not paying attention when merging, you could be entitled to compensation. Call Hensley Legal Group today for a free consultation or contact us online.