Want to live longer? Drive safely

The maximum speed limit on most highways in the Mat-Su is 55 miles per hour.

Through Wasilla and Houston, the Parks Highway drops to 45 miles per hour, and once you leave those 45-mph zones you enter 55-mph. Many drivers seem to misunderstand a speed limit and think of it as being a number to base actual speed on using a phantom formula that “police won’t pull me over if I only go XX over the speed limit.”

This isn’t true. Police have authority to pull you over for going 1 mph over the posted speed limit, especially if they think that you are being reckless or they suspect that there is something else occurring illegally in the vehicle.

Although a popular speed, there are no 65-mph zones until you go north of Willow at around milepost 74 of the Parks Highway.

Observing speed limits means more than driving faster or slower than the posted speed: It means driving to match conditions.

When it’s raining or foggy, when ice is on the road, when traffic is heavy, or when road construction is ahead, adjust your speed accordingly. Remember that your brakes take longer to stop you at faster speeds and that moose and bear don’t always yield right of way to vehicles already on the road.

Keep Right

Watch for signs on the Parks Highway that read “Left Lane for Passing Only,” or, “Stay Right Unless Passing.”

These signs and others with similar language let you know that the left lane on a divided highway is not necessarily a “fast” lane as much as it is a passing lane.

After you pass someone, move back into the right lane once you’ve safely cleared the vehicle. Impeding the flow of traffic by continuing to drive in the left lane is punishable by a fines and a hit on your driving record.

Sharing the Road

with Trucks

Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and may need up to 100 yards to stop.

Here are some tips to help keep you safe when you drive near trucks:

• Maintain a safe following distance. When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object, you should be able to count at least two seconds before you pass the same object.

• Don’t squeeze between trucks and the curb. Trucks make wide right turns, and the driver may not see you.

• When passing a truck, don’t move back into your lane until you can see both truck headlights in your rearview mirror.

• Be aware of a truck’s blind spots: up to 20 feet in front of the tractor, anywhere along the sides of the trailer and up to 200 feet behind the trailer.

• Never cross behind a truck that is backing up.

Move Over

When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing, state law requires that you:

• Move a lane away from the emergency vehicle.

• Slow down below the posted speed limit to a reasonable and prudent speed considering the traffic, roadway, and weather conditions.

Failure to comply could result in fines, or a delay in someone’s house or life being saved. Personally, I have almost been struck several times and because people at highway speeds looking at a roadside accident may not notice responders. This is why responders now are required to wear ANSI vests to increase their visibility. For more information about Alaska’s Move Over law, see Alaska Statutes AS 28.35.185(a).

Give Yourself

a Break

If your eyes close or go out of focus, you can’t stop yawning, your thoughts wander or you’re drifting between lanes, wake up: you’re a “drowsy driver.” Try to stay alert by doing the following:

• A schedule is no reason to get into an accident and risk injuring yourself or others, or worse. Pull off of the road completely, preferably into a pullout or public parking lot, and rest.

• Get plenty of rest before your trip.

• Keep your window cracked open when weather permits — fresh air helps keep most people more aware.

• Get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs every hour. Rest for 15-20 minutes during each stop.

• Avoid driving between midnight and 6 a.m.

• Don’t drink and drive. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your judgment and your reaction time.

Rest Areas

There are very few actual rest areas in the Mat-Su, but take advantage of those that exist as well as pull-outs, parks and businesses along the way.

At many stops you can get current information on road conditions, learn about local attractions and find picnic tables and other accommodations.

Christian M. Hartley is a Lieutenant and responder for the Houston Fire Department, and is the training officer and public information officer. Questions or comments can be emailed to hartley@myopinionmatters.org.