Drivers may feel intimidated by multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic. They could feel trapped and believe they can’t stop or exit the road. Merging into traffic and changing lanes can also be challenging for some motorists.

Here are 10 strategies that may help overcome freeway phobia.

Before heading off

Plan ahead

Planning your trip can help you feel more confident. By knowing where you’ll exit the road, you can make sure you’re in the correct lane well before leaving the freeway. Traffic reports provide current road conditions, traffic volumes and hazards.

Green directional signs show upcoming exits. Researching Google Street View images before you leave will show what the exit signs look like, and identify alternative exits if you miss your intended departure point.

Try to avoid driving on freeways during busy periods, including at peak times in the morning and afternoon and when holidaymakers are returning from long weekend getaways.

If possible, avoid travelling at night or during bad weather. At these times, headlights and reflective road signs can be dazzling, other vehicles may appear to be travelling faster, and it’s more difficult to see finer details.

If you must drive at night, ensure all your car’s lights are clean and working properly, and make sure you know how to operate your high beam lights. Remember to switch off high beam within 200m of an oncoming vehicle, or a vehicle you’re approaching from the rear.

Make sure your windscreen is clean and remove any objects obstructing your view.

Lastly, for longer journeys plan a break. This will allow you to refresh before continuing your trip.

Take a passenger

An experienced driver familiar with freeway travel can provide support and advice and act as a navigator.

On the freeway

1. Maintain speed and distance

Subject to traffic and weather conditions, try to maintain the posted speed limit. This will ensure you’re moving with the flow of traffic. Driving extremely slowly can result in a fine for obstructing the path of another driver.

Maintain at least a three-second gap from the vehicle in front to allow enough time to stop if the vehicle ahead brakes.

2. Master merging

Merging can be one of the most stressful driving manoeuvres when you’re entering a freeway. When merging from an on-ramp, you must give way to traffic already on the freeway. While many drivers already on the freeway will help by moving into the right-hand lane, this isn’t always possible, and they’re not required to do so.

Maintaining a three-second gap from the vehicle in front will contribute to safe merging and provide enough space if you need to brake.

Merging drivers must be prepared to slow down or stop, and wait for a break in the traffic.

Keep in mind, you may need to accelerate quickly to enter the flow of traffic safely.

3. Pick a lane

The far-left lane is typically used by slower vehicles, and those entering and exiting the freeway.

On a three-lane freeway, the far-right lane is for overtaking. Overtaking drivers must move back to the left lane(s) as soon as possible, unless the road is congested or they’re avoiding an obstruction.

In South Australia, if the speed limit on a multi-lane road is higher than 80km/h, or there’s a ‘keep left unless overtaking’ sign, you must not drive in the far-right lane unless you’re overtaking a slower vehicle, avoiding an obstruction or congestion, or you’re about to turn right.