How Should Beginners Correctly Drive on the Highway?

[GideonLynn]

First and foremost, before getting on the highway, it's best to perform a thorough check of your vehicle. Check the tire pressure and ensure all fluids—engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and windshield washer fluid—are topped up as needed. Then, inspect the vehicle's lighting system, especially the brake lights and taillights. Once these checks are complete, you're ready to hit the highway. When driving on the highway, the biggest difference compared to city driving is the significantly higher speeds. Drivers must be capable of controlling the vehicle at these high speeds. Since highway speeds typically hover around 100 km/h, novice drivers who aren't accustomed to such speeds may be more prone to accidents. Therefore, it's crucial for beginners to practice handling the car at high speeds before venturing onto the highway to avoid losing control due to nervousness. Another critical skill for highway driving is maintaining a safe following distance. Unlike city roads, braking on the highway is slower, and stopping distances are much longer. If you follow too closely or brake too late, you might not stop in time, creating hazards if the car ahead stops suddenly due to a malfunction or obstacle. Overtaking on the highway is another aspect that requires attention. While many drivers might consider it trivial, overtaking at high speeds demands precise judgment of the distance to the car behind and the right timing for the maneuver. Given the high speeds, overtaking on the highway requires accurate assessment of the distance to the vehicle behind and the perfect timing to execute the move. Additionally, avoid lingering in the overtaking lane for too long to prevent obstructing other vehicles. Also, minimize the time spent driving side by side with other vehicles during the overtaking process to reduce the risk of collisions or side-swipes.