Is It Dangerous to Drive on the Highway Alone Without Prior Experience?
3 Answers
Driving on the highway alone without prior experience can be quite dangerous. When driving on the highway, it is crucial to avoid large trucks. These trucks are often fully loaded and can be referred to as "big trouble vehicles." The visibility of large trucks on the highway is inherently poor, and coupled with driver fatigue, a slight mistake can lead to the vehicle being pushed off the road. When encountering a large truck, either maintain a safe distance or overtake decisively—never follow it closely or drive alongside it. Below are some relevant tips: Mindset: A calm mindset is essential. Don’t panic before even entering the highway. Many first-time highway drivers experience fear and anxiety, but this is unnecessary as long as you drive legally and responsibly. Preparations: Check for tire cracks or bulges, ensure all lights are functioning, plan your route, and confirm you have enough fuel. It’s advisable to use a navigation system to avoid missing highway exits. Additionally, according to traffic regulations, severe violations such as reversing, driving against traffic, or making illegal U-turns on the highway can result in fines and a one-time deduction of 12 points from your license.
As a seasoned highway driver, I recommend that beginners avoid driving alone on highways. For the first few times, it's best to have an experienced driver in the passenger seat. High speeds and numerous large trucks mean even slight steering deviations can lead to accidents. I've seen many novices mistakenly hit the gas due to nervousness or hesitate when changing lanes, not to mention getting distracted by road signs. If you must drive alone, remember to avoid rush hours, choose clear daytime weather, and take breaks at two or three service areas along the way. Silence your phone beforehand, turn up the navigation volume, and never watch videos while driving. Maintaining a safe distance is crucial on highways—leave at least three seconds of braking time to react in emergencies.
When I first got my driver's license, I also struggled with this issue. After trying a few times, I realized that the difficulty of driving alone on the highway lies in the lack of judgment. The traffic on the highway is complex, and it's hard for beginners to quickly identify potential dangers, such as large trucks suddenly changing lanes in adjacent lanes or the car in front braking abruptly. When I was teaching students, I found that driving alone can easily cause muscle stiffness due to nervousness, leading to gripping the steering wheel too tightly. It is recommended to check the tire pressure and brake pads before setting off and familiarize yourself with the vehicle's cruise control function. Maintaining a speed of around 100 km/h is the safest, and don't follow others in speeding. If you feel tired on the road, immediately pull into a service area; a ten-minute nap is much better than pushing through.
