Driver’s Manual | 59 EXPRESSWAY DRIVING NIGHT DRIVING “Expressway” means any divided highway  where traffic moves in one direction on two  or more lanes. You normally enter or exit the  expressway on ramps (controlled-access). The  speed limit is normally 55 mph (88 km/h), but can  be posted at 65 mph (100 km/h) in some rural  areas. Examples of expressways are the New  York State Thruway, major interstate routes and  parkways. Remain alert for traffic that enters ahead. If  possible, move from the right lane when you  approach the entrances to allow more room for  traffic entering the expressway from the ramp.  To prevent a last-minute lane change, check the  destination and exit signs and get into the correct  lane for your exit ahead of time. Make sure to  signal your exit at least 100 feet (30 m) before  you reach the exit ramp. When you are on the  exit ramp, decrease your speed. There is often a  lower speed limit for the ramp. After you leave an expressway, look for speed  limit signs and check your speedometer to be  sure you are within the posted limit. You are not  likely to be on a 55 mph (88 km/h) road. Before you travel on an expressway, identify  your entrance and exit points on a road map.  Know where to get on and off the expressway  and be prepared to get into the correct lanes for  your entrance and exit. If you enter an express- way going a different direction than you intended,  or at the wrong exit, stay on the expressway  until the next exit. After you exit the expressway,  you can figure out where you need to go and  (if necessary) get back on the expressway. IT IS  DANGEROUS to back up on an entrance or exit  ramp, or to try to cross a median. Unless there is a STOP or YIELD sign or traffic  light on the entrance ramp, use the ramp to accel- erate to expressway speed and blend with traffic.  Signal, then look over your shoulder for traffic  already on the expressway. If necessary, slow  down to safely merge into traffic. If the entrance lane is too short to allow accel- eration to expressway speed, the safest method  to enter is to stop and wait for a large space in  traffic. Then enter the expressway and accelerate  quickly. To avoid conflicts with other entrance  lane traffic, stop when necessary and merge into  expressway traffic as soon as possible. As you drive on the expressway, make sure  to signal all lane changes and check over your  shoulder to make sure you will not cut off any  vehicles behind you. Make sure your directional  signal goes off after you change lanes. About 90% of your decisions are based on what  you see. At night, you must use extra caution to  make up for reduced visibility. You should also  know that the ability to see well at night decreas- es with age. Night driving is more dangerous because the  distance you can see ahead or to the side is  reduced. You should drive slower than you would  in daylight, especially in areas that are not known  or on narrow roads with many curves. Your head- lights cover about 350 feet ahead. It is important  that you drive at a speed that allows you to stop  safely within that distance. This is called “driving  within the range” of your headlights. Expressway driving normally combines higher  speeds with heavy traffic. The higher speed and  amount of traffic require you to think faster and handle your vehicle in a more efficient manner  than in most other conditions. On long trips, plan  frequent rest stops. On a bright day, sunglasses  can reduce glare and eye fatigue. 