Driving on the highway for the first time can be nerve racking, which is why it’s common for new drivers to only navigate local roads until they gain enough real-world experience to venture onto the interstate. Once a new driver is ready to take on a highway, being fully prepared can help a beginner make a smooth and safe transition from local roads to the interstate.
A California Highway Patrol officer and a tow truck driver were injured in a crash while they worked to clear an earlier accident on the 10 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. The 34-year-old driver's truck hit snow and ice and went over the side of the barrier wall. He survived, but has broken legs, a broken back and facial injuries, according to WISN-TV. The man's mother told WISN that the new father knows he's lucky to be alive. She said it's amazing not only that he lived, but that he didn't hit any other vehicles.
Here are some highway driving tips that new drivers should consider before driving on the highway for the first time.
1. Pick the right time to start driving on the highway
If you’re planning your first highway drive, you want to pick the right time and place. Consider starting off on a highway that isn’t too busy, or during a time of day when less drivers are on the road. You also want to drive on a bright, clear day without any rain, snow or fog that could decrease visibility.
2. Start off driving in the right lane
When you’re driving on the highway for the first time, you should only drive in the right lane. Young drivers really have no business heading into the left lane, which is intended for passing. “Staying in the right lane will help them interact with traffic coming onto the freeway, and they’ll maintain their speed easier there,” says Maria A. Wojtczak, who owns and operates DrivingMBA, a driver’s-ed business in Arizona.
3. Leave enough space to change lanes
Establishing proper speed and distance remains key to managing a lane change on an interstate. Drivers should leave four to six seconds-worth of space between their car and the vehicle in front of them as they maneuver. You should also routinely check the rear-view, side-view mirror and blind spot before switching over. More space means you have more time to avoid a collision or react to debris on the highway.
4. Use turn signals when merging and changing lanes
Young drivers must get in the habit of using their blinkers constantly, even if they believe their intentions are obvious. “Blinkers are the only way we have to communicate with other drivers,” says Chris Duquin, owner of Stevens Driving School, which has several locations in the state of New York. “It’s amazing how often drivers cause problems by not using them on highways.”
5. Keep a wide viewpoint
Newer drivers tend to stare at what’s right in front of them. But highway speeds and unpredictability demand a wider viewpoint. “They need to look closely in front of their vehicle, but also farther down the road and into the rear-view,” Duquin says. “Good drivers continuously adjust their observation points.”
6. Keep your cool while driving
Learning to drive on the highway is about more than proper driving—it’s also about making sure a young driver’s maturity level is up to the task. “They must understand never to take anything personally, especially on a highway,” says Michael Soubirous, a retired California Highway Patrol lieutenant who now writes a local newspaper column in Riverside, Calif., called “On the Road.” “If someone cuts you off, let it go. You never know the mental state of the other party and maybe they simply made a mistake. Drivers are not perfect, after all.”
7. Stay focused on the road
According to the CDC, drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. That’s why it’s crucial to stay focused on the highway. Don’t text on your phone, try to change music or be distracted by talking to friends while driving on the highway. Find out ways to prevent teen distracted driving.
© The Republic This weekend's scheduled Interstate 10 closures have been postponed due to 'cooler temperatures.'Valley drivers are advised that significant freeway closures are planned over the weekend, including parts of Interstate 17, Loop 101, Loop 202, State Route 51 and Grand Avenue, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Here are the restrictions and closures.
I-17 between Deer Valley and Jomax roads
Closure: Drivers taking I-17 northbound between Saturday, Sept. 26, at 2 a.m. to Monday, Sept. 28, at 3 a.m. should expect heavy delays. Closures are planned between Deer Valley and Jomax roads for pavement resurfacing.
Detour: Possible detours include northbound Loop 303 to I-17 for drivers in the West Valley. Neighborhood routes heading to State Route 74 and Carefree Highway to connect with I-17 north of the closure is another option. Drivers can also exit eastbound Deer Valley Road and head northbound on 19th Avenue and westbound on Jomax Road to connect back to I-17.
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Loop 101 between U.S. 60 and Loop 202
Closure: Northbound Loop 101 will also be closed between U.S. 60 and Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, for lane striping. During this time, U.S. 60 ramps to northbound Loop 101 will be closed as will the northbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Guadalupe Road and westbound U.S. 60 on-ramp at Alma School Road.
Detour: Northbound Loop 101 ramps to U.S. 60 will stay open. Possible detours include heading northbound on the Price frontage road, McClintock Drive or Dobson Road.
Loop 202 between Price Road and McClintock Drive
Closure: Chandler drivers can expect delays on the Loop 202 Santan Freeway, which will be narrowed to one lane between Price Road and McClintock Drive from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, for pavement construction. Southbound Loop 101 ramps to eastbound and westbound Loop 202 will be closed as will the westbound Loop 202 on-ramps at Price Road and McClintock Drive. The southbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Ray Road and off-ramp at Price Road will also be closed.
Detour: Drivers will still have access to the southbound Loop 101 HOV lane ramp to eastbound Loop 202. Drivers can detour westbound Chandler Boulevard or northbound Loop 101 to westbound U.S. 60 to reach Interstate 10.
WEEKEND ROAD WORK: This weekend expect closures on I-17 NB in the north Valley, L-101 Price in Tempe and Peoria Avenue at I-17. Get the full list of closures and restrictions here: https://t.co/754zaLwtDrpic.twitter.com/XjOTOEcLtx
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 25, 2020SR 51 ramp to Loop 101
Closure: Construction to widen the freeway ramp will cause closures from northbound State Route 51 to westbound Loop 101 from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28.
Detour: Drivers can instead take northbound SR 51, exiting westbound at Union Hills Drive and take northbound Seventh Street to connect to Loop 101.
Grand Avenue from Loop 303 to Jomax Road
Closure: Surprise-area drivers can expect Grand Avenue to narrow to one lane in both directions between Loop 303 and Jomax Road from 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, for pavement sealing.
Detour: Area cross streets will, for the most part, remain open at Grand Avenue.
Loop 202 ramp to SR 143
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Closure: Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway eastbound will experience overnight closures from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Maintenance closures will impact the ramp accessing southbound State Route 143.
Detour: One possible detour is an exit eastbound on Loop 202 to southbound 40th Street, taking eastbound Washington Street to access SR 143.
Drivers Training Freeway
Peoria Avenue near I-17
Closure: Peoria Avenue will be closed in both directions near I-17 from 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, for storm drain construction. I-17 on- and off-ramps will be closed at Peoria Avenue.
Detour: Drivers can instead take Dunlap Avenue or Cactus Road to access I-17 or use 19th or 35th avenues for traveling north to south.
Reach the reporter at madeline.ackley@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @Mkayackley.
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Driving Freeway Tips
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Drivers, take note: Multiple freeway closures scheduled over weekend