Top 10 Safety Tips for Driving on Highways

1. Prioritize Tire Check Before Entering the Highway

Driving on highways is always a concern for many drivers, including experienced ones. When navigating this road, drivers not only need to stay highly focused but also require observation skills and problem-solving abilities when facing unexpected situations. One of the daunting incidents on highways is tire blowouts while in motion. Such incidents not only damage the vehicle but can also lead to tragic accidents.

According to the Traffic Police Department, tire blowouts often occur unexpectedly, leaving drivers bewildered, especially when traveling at high speeds, increasing the risk of losing control. There are various causes of tire blowouts listed, such as over-inflated or under-inflated tires, uneven tread wear, overloaded vehicles traveling at high speeds, expired tires, or using tires that do not meet the specified technical parameters. To prevent this, the Traffic Police Department advises drivers to regularly check their tires, pay attention to signs indicating potential dangers such as worn-out tires, over-inflated tires, uneven tire pressure between wheels, and take appropriate replacement measures. This not only minimizes breakdowns but also ensures safety while driving.

In the unfortunate event of a tire issue, remain calm, gradually accelerate to maintain control of the vehicle, hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions to avoid losing control. Then, gradually reduce speed and allow the vehicle to follow its momentum. At this point, the vehicle's speed should be manageable; gently apply the brakes to prepare for stopping. Finally, activate the right turn signal to pull over to the side of the road and seek assistance.

2. Maintain a Far Vision to Observe Vehicles Ahead

Clear visibility while driving is crucial for a safe journey. Being negligent or lacking caution in observation is a major cause of severe accidents. Therefore, whether traveling on the highway specifically or normal roads in general, it is essential to maintain clear visibility throughout the driving process. This allows for a wide field of vision and sufficient foresight to anticipate dangers and react promptly. Particularly, for new drivers who tend to focus on close distances, which can lead to delayed reactions to hazards ahead.

According to experts, when observing the road ahead, it's advisable to focus your vision ahead equivalent to 12 seconds of travel time. In urban areas, this translates to about 1 to 3 blocks of buildings, while on highways it's approximately 0.5 kilometers. This time frame allows drivers to respond promptly to unexpected situations. Always pay attention to the signals and movements of vehicles ahead. By doing so, you'll be prepared to react effectively to any surprises that may arise.

In Article 9 of Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT by the Ministry of Transport, the speed regulations for motor vehicles and specialized motorcycles on highways are as follows:

'1. The maximum allowable speed on highways shall not exceed 120 km/h.

2. When participating in traffic on highways, drivers of motor vehicles and specialized motorcycles must adhere to the maximum speed, the minimum speed indicated on road signs, and road surface markings on lanes.'

In Section 2 of this Circular 10, it also further stipulates: '2. On entrance or exit ramps to highways, when placing speed limit signs, the speed limit indicated on the sign must not be below 50 km/h.' Therefore, the law clearly stipulates the minimum speed at which drivers should travel on highways is 50 km/h and shall not exceed 120 km/h. At each highway across the country with different speed limit signs, drivers need to pay attention to observe speed limit signs to ensure safe driving speed.

Driving vehicles at the designated speed not only complies with legal regulations but also ensures the safety of drivers when traveling on this road section. A minute faster, a lifetime slower, so we should not exceed the maximum speed limit recklessly. If changing lanes to the right, always pay attention to the rear and remember to use turn signals. Utilize cruise control (if available) to save fuel and avoid exceeding the speed limit.

On highways, vehicles often travel at high speeds, so arbitrarily changing lanes abruptly can lead to catastrophic and tragic accidents. To exit the highway, you must first identify the exit and gradually transition to the lane closest to the exit. Particularly, make sure to transition when other vehicles have passed you or proactively yield the lane.

If by chance you miss the exit, do not stop or reverse in the middle of the road. Instead, in this situation, Mytour advises you to continue straight and turn around at the next exit to ensure your safety and that of other drivers on the road. To change lanes safely, drivers must remember the crucial step of using turn signals and only change lanes where there are lane markings permitting lane changes. When changing lanes, maintain a reasonable speed, observe vehicles ahead and behind, create the widest possible viewing conditions for vehicles behind, and avoid entering the blind spots of vehicles in front.

Side and rearview mirrors are indispensable aids for drivers during their journeys, especially on highways. They help drivers observe their surroundings more comprehensively, enabling them to detect unfamiliar objects such as lost animals, pedestrians, etc., on the road to proactively avoid them. Clean and shiny mirrors and rearview windows allow drivers to have the clearest view of the traffic situation around them.

Many drivers often overlook this detail, thinking that highways are one-way roads with wider visibility, so mirrors and rearview windows are not very effective when driving. However, this complacency and lack of caution while driving have led to many tragic accidents.

Therefore, to ensure safety for themselves and other road users on highways, drivers should equip and regularly clean their mirrors and rearview windows, as well as all vehicle components, while traveling.

Maintaining a high level of concentration while driving is a basic requirement for all road users, especially for drivers on highways. When we are mentally focused, we can observe all the events and movements around us, allowing us to proactively avoid potential dangers.

However, not all actions or events deserve our attention. Drivers should be cautious about distractions such as adjusting the air conditioner, speakers, or using the phone while driving. It's important to remember that even a small distraction while driving can lead to loss of control and traffic accidents. When driving, it's advisable to use Bluetooth earphones for phone calls. If not absolutely necessary, drivers can choose to ignore calls and focus on driving, returning calls only after leaving the highway. Using the phone while driving not only affects the driver's attention but also reduces flexibility in handling unexpected situations.

According to statistics from the National Traffic Safety Committee, the number of accidents that occur at night, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day, is often 2 to 3 times higher than during the day. This somewhat indicates that driving at night always poses many risks, requiring drivers to be more cautious. Nighttime driving limits visibility and observation capabilities, and the body is more prone to fatigue... so driving at night is always a challenge for many drivers. Especially when traveling on highways at high speeds, if not careful and focused while driving, it's easy to cause unintended incidents resulting in human and property damage.

To ensure safety, drivers should avoid driving on highways during nighttime hours. In cases where it's necessary to travel, ensure good visibility by cleaning headlights, windshield surfaces, adjusting rearview mirrors... Stay informed about the route and travel plan. Drive at an appropriate speed, avoid speeding or reckless overtaking, maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and behind. Stay highly focused and avoid drowsiness while driving. If feeling excessively tired or sleepy, drivers should not immediately enter the highway but should pull over on the roadside before entering the highway to rest.

To alleviate fatigue, drowsiness, and boredom during the journey, the companions accompanying you play a vital role in providing quick and effective relief. However, do not let a few stories or events attract too much attention and distract you from driving and observing your surroundings.

Remember, those stories only help alleviate your fatigue, and your primary task at this moment is to stay alert, focus on observation, and drive safely because in the car, you're not alone, but also with loved ones, family, and friends. Abrupt emotional changes should also be avoided to ensure safe control of the steering wheel for yourself and other passengers.

'Don't drink and drive' is not only a slogan but also a legal regulation clearly defined in Article 8 of the Law on Road Traffic 2018: 'Driving motor vehicles, tractors, motorbikes on roads with alcohol concentration in blood or breath.'

Specifically, Decree 100/2019/ND-CP on penalties for administrative violations in the field of road and railway traffic clearly stipulates the penalty for alcohol concentration violations for drivers. Accordingly, drivers who drive after drinking alcohol may be fined up to 40 million VND and have their driver's license revoked for 22 - 24 months.

When consuming alcohol, the alcohol in beer impairs the nervous system's ability to orient, control, and coordinate movements. Therefore, if driving after drinking alcohol, observing traffic signs, adjusting speed, and controlling the vehicle are no longer accurate. This is the main cause of serious traffic accidents. In fact, every year, according to statistics from the Traffic Police Department, there are hundreds of regrettable traffic accidents caused by alcohol. Therefore, absolutely stay away from alcohol when driving to ensure the safety of yourself and others. This is not only a basic principle when driving on highways but also when driving on other roads that drivers need to strictly adhere to.

Traveling on highways always entails many risks that drivers cannot predict. One of the frequent risks on highways is collisions between vehicles due to sudden changes in speed and failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles. To minimize collisions or rear-end collisions before sudden accidents occur, drivers on highways should proactively maintain a minimum safe distance of 50 meters between two vehicles. Furthermore, it is important to adhere to the 3-second or 5-second rule to effectively control the steering wheel and prevent unwanted accidents.

Article 11 of Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT also clearly stipulates the safe distance between vehicles when participating in traffic on roads, as follows:

'1. When driving on the road, drivers must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front; at places with the sign 'Minimum distance between two vehicles,' the distance must not be less than the value stated on the sign.

2. Safe distance between two vehicles when participating in traffic on the road:

a) Under dry road conditions, the safe distance corresponding to each speed is defined as follows:

• Vehicles traveling at a speed of 60 km/h: Safe distance is 35 m
• Vehicles traveling at a speed of 60 - 80 km/h: Safe distance is 55 m
• Vehicles traveling at a speed of 80-100 km/h: Safe distance is 70 m
• Vehicles traveling at a speed of 100 - 120 km/h: Safe distance is 100 m'