Highway Driving Safety Tips
Highway driving is an essential skill for learner and provisional drivers. Whether you’re navigating the highways of NSW, ACT, or QLD, or driving interstate, practicing safe driving habits ensures the safety of everyone on the road.
In this guide, LTrent Driving School provides practical highway driving tips, tailored to learners and provisional drivers in these states, while including insights for driving across Australia.
1. Keep Your Eyes on the Road and Avoid Distractions
Distractions while driving at high speeds are extremely dangerous. Even a few seconds of inattention can lead to serious accidents. For example, taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds at 100 km/h means travelling the length of a football field without noticing potential hazards.
Tips to stay focused:
- Use hands-free devices sparingly or not at all.
- Pre-set your GPS or music before you begin driving.
- Avoid eating, drinking, or multitasking behind the wheel.
Distractions are not only dangerous but also illegal. Prioritise your focus to ensure a safe journey.
2. Maintain a Safe Following Distance
The faster you drive, the greater the stopping distance required. A useful guideline is the 3-second gap rule:
- Choose a fixed point on the road, like a sign or tree.
- When the car ahead passes it, ensure at least 3 seconds pass before you do.
- In bad weather, double this gap to at least 6 seconds.
This rule is especially critical for highways, where speeds are higher and reaction times need to be quicker.
3. Always Check Blind Spots and Use Indicators Before Switching Lanes
Changing lanes safely requires awareness of your surroundings:
- Do a head check to look over your shoulder and identify vehicles in your blind spots.
- Use your rear-view and side mirrors regularly.
- Always turn on your indicators to signal your intentions clearly to other drivers.
Predictable and smooth lane changes are key to maintaining safety for all road users.
4. Use the Left Lane Unless Overtaking
In NSW, ACT, and QLD, the left lane is designated for regular driving, and the right lane is reserved for overtaking. Staying in the left lane allows traffic to flow smoothly and reduces congestion.
Highways with signs stating “Keep left unless overtaking” require you to comply, and failure to do so may result in fines or penalties.
5. Be Aware of Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can significantly affect your safety on highways. Rain, fog, or strong winds reduce visibility and make roads slippery.
Before your trip:
- Check local weather forecasts.
- Adjust your speed and increase your following distance during bad weather.
- Use headlights in low visibility conditions but avoid high beams in fog, as they can reflect light and reduce visibility.
6. Follow the Speed Limit
Adhering to the speed limit is crucial for highway safety. Speeding reduces your reaction time and increases the severity of potential collisions.
Learner driver speed limits by state:
- NSW: Learners must not exceed 90 km/h, even if the highway speed limit is higher.
- ACT: Learners must also adhere to a maximum speed limit of 90 km/h.
- QLD: Learners can drive at the posted speed limit, which may be up to 110 km/h on highways.
In other states:
- VIC:Â Learners may drive at the posted speed limit.
- SA and WA: Learners may drive up to 100 km/h.
- TAS: Learners must not exceed 90 km/h.
- NT: Learners must not exceed 80 km/h.
7. Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Seat belts are essential, particularly at highway speeds, where the risk of serious injury in an accident is significantly higher. Ensure that all passengers are buckled up before starting your journey. Failing to wear a seat belt is not only illegal but also life-threatening.
8. Plan Your Journey to Reduce Stress
Highway trips, particularly long ones, can be stressful for new drivers. Planning ahead can make a big difference:
- Identify rest stops for breaks every 2 hours to avoid fatigue.
- Use GPS or maps to familiarise yourself with your route before driving.
- Check for toll roads and ensure your e-tag or toll account is updated.
Master Highway Driving with Confidence
Driving on highways requires attention, skill, and safe habits. By following these tips, you’ll be prepared to navigate highways safely and confidently in NSW, ACT, and QLD, and beyond.
At LTrent Driving School, we offer tailored lessons to help learners and provisional drivers build confidence for highway driving. Learners in NSW can also complete the Safer Drivers Course, earning 20 logbook hours while developing advanced road awareness.
Contact us today to book a lesson and take the next step towards becoming a safe, confident driver on Australia’s highways!