Instructor at Üsküdar University's Occupational Health and Safety Department, and Road and Traffic Safety Consultant Özgür Şener, issued important warnings regarding safe driving on highways and correct behaviors in toll booth areas for those embarking on journeys before Eid al-Fitr.
Limited entry and exit points on highways are crucial for safety
Stating that the main characteristic of highways is their dedication to transit traffic, Şener made the following assessment: “A highway is a road specifically allocated for transit traffic, where entry and exit are prohibited except at certain designated points and conditions, where pedestrians, animals, and non-motorized vehicles are not allowed, only authorized motor vehicles can use it, and traffic is subject to special control. Therefore, having a minimum number of entry and exit points on highways is of great importance for safe driving.”
Reminding that vehicles travel at high speeds according to their classes on highways, Şener said, “On highways, vehicles are allowed to be used at the highest possible speeds according to their class, and highway entry-exit points are where these speeds decrease. For this reason, it is of great importance for drivers entering and exiting to know the acceleration and deceleration lanes on highways and to use them appropriately for their functions, in order to safely plan their speed.”
It is necessary to proceed to the end of the acceleration lane
Stating that the correct use of acceleration lanes used for highway entry is vital, Özgür Şener said that drivers often misuse these lanes, adding, “The acceleration lane is a lane reserved for vehicles merging onto a highway or main road to safely accelerate and match the flow of traffic. These lanes make it easier for drivers to reach the speed of vehicles on the main road. To reach this speed, one must proceed as far as possible to the end of the acceleration lane and then merge onto the highway.”
Özgür Şener also added that drivers should check their mirrors, signal, and avoid sudden maneuvers before merging onto the highway.
Entering the deceleration lane early prevents accidents
Stating that deceleration lanes used for highway exits are also of great importance for safe driving, Özgür Şener drew attention to a common mistake made by drivers in Türkiye and said, “The deceleration lane is a special lane reserved for vehicles exiting the highway to safely reduce their speed. However, in our country, many drivers proceed on the highway until the exit and try to leave the ramp at the last minute. This behavior significantly increases the risk of collision with vehicles coming from behind. It also obstructs the flow of vehicles properly using the deceleration lane.”
A vehicle traveling at 140 kilometers per hour covers 38 meters per second
Stating that high speed amplifies the effects of driving errors, Özgür Şener said that distance and speed planning are vital on highways.
“A vehicle traveling at 140 kilometers per hour covers approximately 38.8 meters per second. This means approximately 194 meters in 5 seconds, which is about one and a half football fields. Therefore, drivers should constantly check not only what's in front of them but also the traffic coming from behind through their mirrors.” Şener emphasized that a minimum following distance of 6 seconds should be maintained between vehicles for safe driving on highways.
The far-right lane is the continuous driving lane
Stating that lane usage on highways is also important for safe driving, Şener said, “Drivers should proceed as much as possible using the far-right lane on the highway. Other lanes are for overtaking. Continuous driving in any lane other than the right lane is not safe.”
Özgür Şener also stated that drivers should be cautious of risks they might encounter on the highway, warning against dangers such as vehicles stopped on the emergency lane, loads fallen onto the road, broken-down vehicles in tunnels, and faded road markings that make night vision difficult.
Highway driving can lead to loss of attention due to monotony
Stating that long-duration highway driving can lead to a loss of attention in drivers, Özgür Şener said that this situation can pave the way for accidents.
Şener said, “Highway driving can be defined as monotonous driving. This situation can lead to risky behaviors in drivers such as distraction, one-handed driving, changing lanes without signaling, or drowsiness. Drivers need to develop awareness regarding this.”
Most frequent accidents at toll booths
Reminding that serious accidents have recently occurred at paid highway and bridge toll booths, Özgür Şener stated that most of these accidents were due to driver error and said, “Behaviors such as two vehicles trying to enter the same toll booth, changing toll booths at the last minute, rear-ending a slowing vehicle, or entering the wrong toll booth and attempting to reverse are the most common causes of accidents in toll booth areas.”
Speed at toll booths should generally be 30 kilometers
Emphasizing that drivers must reduce their speed when approaching toll booth areas, Özgür Şener said, “Speed limits given when approaching toll booth areas must be fully adhered to. Gradual deceleration should be performed instead of sudden braking. The speed limit in toll booth areas is generally around 30 kilometers/hour. During holiday periods, vacation periods, and peak hours like the start and end of workdays, there are long waits at toll booths. In such situations, it is important to remain patient and calm.”
Şener also noted that one of the most common mistakes drivers make at toll booths is changing lanes at the last minute, stating, “One of the most common mistakes drivers make is trying to change toll booths at the last minute. Before entering a toll booth, you should determine which lane you will use and proceed in that lane. Last-minute lane changes increase the risk of collision with vehicles coming from behind.”
Do not accelerate suddenly at toll booth exits
Stating that drivers tend to accelerate suddenly after exiting toll booths, Şener said that this also poses a risk and concluded, “At toll booth exits, drivers usually try to accelerate suddenly. However, it should not be forgotten that surrounding vehicles may also accelerate at the same time, and driving should continue by constantly observing the surroundings. All signs and directions must be followed and fully adhered to by drivers.”
