How To Drive On The Nigerian Expressways and Highways.

Tweet Due to the rate vital road crashes on our expressways or highways, I felt the need to educate our poeple on how to drive safely on the Nigerian roads.

First. What is expressway?

The term expressway means any specially assigned and restricted highway divided with un-traversable barriers with traffic in opposite directions completely separated from each other. Traffic in one direction may be in two or more lanes.

Expressways are designed for traffic movement with minimum interruption but: are certainly not speed tracks. Violators stand the risk of being prosecuted according to the National Road Traffic Regulations.

Restrictions.
* No animals
* No pedestrians or hawkers
* No pedal cycles
* No motorised cycles with capacity below specified capacity.
* No learner drivers
* No stopping
* No loading or unloading

When you join the expressway other than at its start, you will approach from a road on the right (a slip road). Give way to traffic already on the highway, and then accelerate in the extra lane (the acceleration lane) so that when you join the inside lane, you are already travelling at the same speed as the traffic on it. You should not exceed the prescribed speed limit for that highway.

Now here are 8 important points to always put in mind when driving on the road.

(1). Concentrate
Traffic travels faster on expressways than on ordinary roads, and you will need to fathom up traffic situations quickly. Use your mirrors, and concentrate always. Watch out for vehicles entering the expressway.

(2). Keep your distance
Do not get too close to the vehicle in front. Remember the 'two-second rule'.

(3). Maintain A Steady Speed
Do not move in jerks. There are both minimum and maximum speed limits on the expressway.
Apply the common sense speed limits and the limitations of your vehicle.

(4). Avoid Lane Hopping
Stay in one lane unless when overtaking. If you have to overtake, do so smoothly and do not hop. Overtake only from the left. Remember the LOOK-SIGNAL-MOVE routine. Be sure to check blind spots.

(5). Never Reverse On the Expressway
Under no circumstance should you reverse on the expressway. If you miss your exit, go to the next one.

(6). No stopping
Do not wait or stop on the expressway. If you have to stop, pull out to the hard shoulder and post a suitable and safe signal.

Do not leave your parking lights on to prevent other vehicles from running into you. You may put on your HAZARD UGHTS.

(7). Stop! If Sleepy
Driving for long distances may make you feel sleepy. To help prevent this, make sure there is plenty of fresh air in your vehicle. Stop at service area, or turn off at an exit, and walk around for a while. Get off the highway. Take a nap if necessary. Avoid the monotony of the expressway which may hypnotise you into a fatal error. Avoid fatigue or the effects of drugs. If you are in any doubt or feel unfit, STOP driving immediately.

(8). Leaving the Expressway
If you are not going to leave at the end of the expressway, you will leave by a slip road on your right. Watch for signs letting you know you are getting near your turn-off point, give a right turn signal, get into the extra lane (the deceleration I lane) in order to slow down before you join the slip road.

Missing Your Exit.
If you miss your-exit point, YOU MUST CARRY ON UNTIL YOU REACH THE NEXT ONE, do not reverse or turn back.

As You Leave The Expressway
When you leave an expressway, remember to alter your driving to suit the different conditions on the othe roads. Your speed will be higher than you think - a speed of 80km/hr MAY FEEL like 50km/hr. So be surer to check your to check your speedometer. Observe the posted speed limit signs.