Highway driving tips: lane discipline, gaps and smooth speed

Highways are some of the safest roads per kilometre, yet they are where many drivers feel most stressed. Higher speeds mean mistakes grow faster. The good news is that a few habits make highway driving calmer, and they tend to improve your score too.

Keep a proper gap

The most useful habit on any fast road is space. Pick a fixed point such as a sign or a bridge. When the car in front passes it, count. If you reach it before “two seconds”, you are too close. In rain, double it. In fog, snow or ice, leave far more.

A good gap gives you time to react without hard braking, and it lets you ease off the accelerator instead of hitting the brake every time traffic slows.

Merge with speed, not hesitation

On a slip road, use the full length to match the speed of traffic. Look early, check your mirror and blind spot, signal, and merge into a gap. Stopping at the end of a slip road is far more dangerous than merging at speed.

When others are joining, move over if it is safe, or adjust your speed slightly to let them in.

Stay in the right lane for your speed

Keep to the inside lane unless you are overtaking (the left lane in countries that drive on the left, the right lane in countries that drive on the right). Sitting in the middle or outside lane forces others to weave around you and creates the bunching that leads to sudden braking.

Overtake calmly

• Check mirrors and the blind spot before you signal.
• Signal early so others know what you plan.
• Overtake briskly but smoothly, without a sudden burst of throttle.
• Return to your lane once you can see the overtaken car in your mirror.

Look far ahead

On a highway, watch the traffic several cars ahead. Brake lights rippling back towards you are your warning. Lift off early and you will often never need to brake hard at all.

Hold a steady speed

Constant small speed changes waste fuel and tire you out. Cruise control helps on quiet roads. In busy traffic, aim for a speed you can hold rather than speeding up into every gap. Most cars also use noticeably more fuel at higher speeds, so a slightly lower cruising speed often saves money. See smooth driving and fuel cost.

Take breaks

Tiredness is a real risk on long, monotonous roads. Plan a break every couple of hours. If you feel your eyes getting heavy, stop somewhere safe and rest.

Never use your phone while driving

Set up Road Rank before you join the highway, then leave the phone alone. Review your drive and your score once you have stopped.