Highway Driving Tips

Most of the time when drivers drive, they tend to look only straight ahead. This is especially true for teenage drivers who have just started driving on the highway. When you are on the turnpike, you need to have your head on a swivel so that you can look at what's ahead of you and on each side of your vehicle. Good drivers will always adjust their observation points to be constantly aware of their surroundings. So if you need to brake suddenly, you will have enough car lengths to do so.

No matter where you are on the road, using your turn signal is always a good idea, but this is especially true when you are on the highway. You should never rely on your instincts to figure out what the other drivers are thinking as you travel, so you should always use your turn signals to communicate with other drivers so that they know what you're doing and you know what they are doing. You should always use your turn signal when you're changing lanes, as it will let other drivers know which way you are going. Be sure always to maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and other when you check your blind spots before making any lane changes.

Getting onto the highway initially can feel intimidating, but it's easy to do once you get the hang of it. For those who might not have driven on the highway in a while, you will need to get on the on-ramp and get up to highway speed as soon as possible. Make sure you are using your turn signals and swiftly look for a gap so you can change lanes and enter the highway. When you exit the turnpike, you need to use your turn signal again and start to decelerate when you get onto the exit ramp. If you don't slow down, you will lose control of your vehicle and may cause an accident. 

If you haven't driven on the highway in a while, you need to know that the right lane is designed for slower traffic only and could be the best place to stay until you get acclimated again. The left lane is designed for passing, and the right and middle lane is for driving. Whenever you're ready, move over to the middle lane, and only when you get fully acclimated, start passing other vehicles in the left lane. Having consistent driving patterns is all about having patterns, so if it has been a long time since you have been driving on the highway, you may want to follow these tips.

If driving on the highway hasn't been your thing, then we highly suggest that you master city driving before you head out on the highway. Once your comfort level in driving in the city reaches its peak, you might feel more comfortable driving on the turnpike. You might even think about taking along a more experienced highway driver to see everything as it develops on the highway. The most important thing drivers need to remember is that if you don't want to drive on the highway, don't do it until you are comfortable.

Of course, one of the most important things you need to do before you start driving on the highway is to ensure that your Mazda is up to the task. To make sure that your Mazda is in good working order, then be sure to head down to Pearson Mazda and have our experts take a look at your vehicle. We specialize in everything from changing your oil to rebuilding your transmission, and you know that your Mazda will be in good hands with our team. Make an appointment today by filling out a service on our website or in person here at our dealership. We look forward to working on your vehicle here at Pearson Mazda.