71
• Make a left turn or a U-turn except through an opening
provided and marked for such turns
• Change lanes without signaling.
• Drive in the blind spot of other drivers. Traveling in a
position where the driver ahead of you cannot see your
vehicle can be dangerous. Either stay behind or go
around. Do NOT follow to the side.
• Drive onto the interstate except through an opening
provided for such entrance.
• Park or stop on the interstate except at areas especially
provided. Parking on the shoulder of the interstate is
prohibited except in cases of emergency. You also cannot
park any motor vehicle on the paved and unpaved portions
of the entrance and exit ramps, unless the vehicle is
disabled.
• Back up if you miss an exit. You must go to the next exit.
2. Always remember these tips for safe interstate driving:
• Drive in a dependable and predictable manner.
• Be a safe and courteous driver.
• Always signal your intentions well in advance.
• Keep your attention constantly on your driving.
• Make frequent traffic checks by looking in your rear view
and side-view mirrors often.
• Keep a safe following distance between your car and the
vehicle you are following.
• Check instruments often for speed and fuel supply.
•
Keep pace with traffic, but don’t speed illegally just
because other drivers are speeding.
• Stay in the right lane if traveling slower than the other
traffic.
• Be alert to merging traffic signs and vehicles entering the
interstate.
•
When safe to do so, move to another lane to allow on-
ramp traffic to enter the interstate.
3. Special situations to be aware of include:
•
Be prepared for the unexpected! When driving on an
interstate highway, look out for pedestrians who may have
had a vehicle breakdown, or animals that may be on the
roadway. It is not impossible for vehicles to be traveling
in the wrong direction on an interstate!
•
Lane Wandering: Weaving and wandering are
dangerous. Keep to the right unless overtaking or passing.
Watch mirrors and signal before changing lanes. Don’t
cut back until it is safe. Stay aware of surrounding traffic
conditions.
•
Maintain Safe Distance: Following too closely is the
cause of many multiple-car collisions. Higher interstate
speeds increase danger and require greater distances
between cars.
•
Night Driving: Darkness increases driving dangers. On
the basis of mileage driven, night driving is far more
dangerous than day driving. Fatigue and sharply reduced
vision are primarily responsible for this greater danger.
Also, drinking drivers are more likely to be on the road at
night.
Fight Interstate Hypnosis
Continuous interstate driving can become monotonous. A
condition of drowsiness or unawareness can be brought about
by reduced activity and steady sounds of wind, engine, and tire
hum. This is known as interstate hypnosis. All drivers should
be aware of its danger and of the methods for fighting it. Use
the following tips to help you recognize and avoid this
condition:
• Keep shifting your eyes. When driving, look well ahead,
but avoid staring. Get into the habit of shifting your eyes
left and right and checking your rear view mirror. If you
sit and stare straight ahead, you can almost put yourself to
sleep.
• Quit driving when you are drowsy. Drowsiness is the first
step in falling asleep.
• Keep your car’s interior as cool as possible.
• Stop and refresh yourself at regular intervals. Take a
break and get out of the car at least every two hours, or
every 100 miles or so. Even if you are feeling well, you
should stop, get out of your car and walk around, allowing
your muscles to relax.
• It is safest for you and others if you do not drive more
than eight hours per day.
Dynamic Message Signs
Dynamic Message Signs are along Tennessee interstates in
urban areas to provide traffic information to motorists. These
signs are part of the Tennessee
Department of Transportation’s
SmartWay Intelligent
Transportation System. The
signs provide real-time
information to motorists of traffic
incidents, weather-related road
conditions or road construction
ahead, so drivers can consider
alternate routes.
The Dynamic Message Signs not only improve driver safety
and traffic flow but can also be used for (1) advance
notification of roadwork requiring lane closures, (2) advance
notification of special events that will adversely affect travel
either because of added traffic generated or the requirement to
close streets or
highways, and (3)
messages
associated with
missing child
Amber Alerts or
other public safety
issues. These signs
are normally blank
when not in use.